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makeda_colourlit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
katharines's review against another edition
5.0
Finally! A book of short stories that I really enjoyed. I don't usually get much out of short stories, but these ones taught me things and made me feel. A couple of them even almost made me cry.
The afterword is also a fantastic read, talking about the acceptance of African writers, the use of Jamaican Creole language style in writings, and so many things of great importance.
I bought this book when I was in Jamaica in 2009 and only discovered when I finally picked it up to read it that the author now lives in Canada. I will most definitely look for more of her written works.
The afterword is also a fantastic read, talking about the acceptance of African writers, the use of Jamaican Creole language style in writings, and so many things of great importance.
I bought this book when I was in Jamaica in 2009 and only discovered when I finally picked it up to read it that the author now lives in Canada. I will most definitely look for more of her written works.
ldpac's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautifully written collection of stories that look at Jamaica as its people. With each story there is a drop of commentary or snippet of insight into how Jamaica has bended and leaned under the pressures of the world powers, but this in no way takes away from the stories about strong, mostly female, characters.
sophiefaerber's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmazan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
read for class. World Literature Written in English (fall 21)
nemoslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nice collection of stories showcasing a range of social and cultural topics based in Jamaica. The writing was wonderfully vivid but as happens in short story collections, some were way more enjoyable than the others.
musingintrovert's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
A good short story collection primarily set in Jamaica with a focus on the experiences of women and girls and themes such as isolation, postcolonialism and identity.
A good short story collection primarily set in Jamaica with a focus on the experiences of women and girls and themes such as isolation, postcolonialism and identity.
bookofcinz's review against another edition
3.0
One of my 2020 reading goals is to read as many (all) of Olive Senior’s books. I am a bit behind on this goal so when I went to visit the library and I saw some of Senior’s titles, I figured now is the best time to get my goal going.
Arrival of the Snake Woman is a collection of seven short stories that gives an in-depth and nuanced look into Jamaican life in the early into late 90s. This collection is layered and explores themes such as misogyny, colourism, classism, community, immigration, love, infidelity, and trauma. Senior can write about the mundane and make it so interesting. I loved how she is able to transport us to a rural community in Jamaica and introduce us to community and make their problems ours.
I must admit, of the seven stories I was only enamoured with three, not to take away from the others but these three I know will stick with me for a very long time.
Arrival of the Snake-Woman The book namesake and the first story in the collection takes us to a village through the eyes of one of the villagers. He talks about the “Snake-Woman” who is an Indian Lady who forms a common-law relationship with one of the men in the community. Senior explores the theme of religion in a very layered away and how this community treats an “outsider”
THE Two Grandmothers Hands down my favorite story in this collection and I wanted more of it. Told from the Granddaughter’s perspective through a series of letters she writes to her mother while spending time with her two grandmothers. As someone who grew up with one grandmother and had to go visit the other grandmother regularly, I felt Senior was writing my childhood experience. This is the most beautiful and realistic coming of age short stories I have read and I absolutely love that it explores grandmother-granddaughter relationship. So much is explored in this book from colourism, classism, ageing and poverty.. I wish this was a whole book!
Special mention to The View from the Terrace which I did also enjoy.
I wanted to love all the stories in this collection but most were hit or misses. However, being a fan of Senior I am happy I read it.
Arrival of the Snake Woman is a collection of seven short stories that gives an in-depth and nuanced look into Jamaican life in the early into late 90s. This collection is layered and explores themes such as misogyny, colourism, classism, community, immigration, love, infidelity, and trauma. Senior can write about the mundane and make it so interesting. I loved how she is able to transport us to a rural community in Jamaica and introduce us to community and make their problems ours.
I must admit, of the seven stories I was only enamoured with three, not to take away from the others but these three I know will stick with me for a very long time.
Arrival of the Snake-Woman The book namesake and the first story in the collection takes us to a village through the eyes of one of the villagers. He talks about the “Snake-Woman” who is an Indian Lady who forms a common-law relationship with one of the men in the community. Senior explores the theme of religion in a very layered away and how this community treats an “outsider”
THE Two Grandmothers Hands down my favorite story in this collection and I wanted more of it. Told from the Granddaughter’s perspective through a series of letters she writes to her mother while spending time with her two grandmothers. As someone who grew up with one grandmother and had to go visit the other grandmother regularly, I felt Senior was writing my childhood experience. This is the most beautiful and realistic coming of age short stories I have read and I absolutely love that it explores grandmother-granddaughter relationship. So much is explored in this book from colourism, classism, ageing and poverty.. I wish this was a whole book!
Special mention to The View from the Terrace which I did also enjoy.
I wanted to love all the stories in this collection but most were hit or misses. However, being a fan of Senior I am happy I read it.
midnightreads7f1fa's review
4.0
No hay nada como la prosa "oral" de esta mujer. Aunque eso se pierda un poco en la traducción, ese no es motivo para pasar de relato traducidos, como "La llegada de la mujer serpiente" que anda dando vueltas de manera gratuita por ahí.
Olive Senior no solo pone en el escenario aspectos culturales particulares del caribe, las condiciones de mujeres, niños y migrantes, entremezclados con el tema siempre delicado del color y la raza, sino que lo hace de una manera genial (no muy generosa para los que no tenemos el inglés como primera lengua si): de la letra impresa de su prosa se desborda la oralidad -rural- de sus personajes, la mayoría de ellos no particularmente letrados (o niños aún).
Me encanta y espero poder leer más de ella en el futuro.
Olive Senior no solo pone en el escenario aspectos culturales particulares del caribe, las condiciones de mujeres, niños y migrantes, entremezclados con el tema siempre delicado del color y la raza, sino que lo hace de una manera genial (no muy generosa para los que no tenemos el inglés como primera lengua si): de la letra impresa de su prosa se desborda la oralidad -rural- de sus personajes, la mayoría de ellos no particularmente letrados (o niños aún).
Me encanta y espero poder leer más de ella en el futuro.
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