anywiebs's review against another edition
2.0
A book this slow needs a reward for me finishing it. Having said that I like the things I learned from this book about Guyana and the people and life there as well as some small part of its history.
As a novel however this book is highly disappointing. The story is just followwing the main character around who is not following any other purpose than to look what's there and escape from his old life. But none of his personal issues are ever really discussed (or maybe I just missed them).
As a travel journal about a foreign country this is very interesting, also because it is not written by a white man from England or America, but by an Indian, who experiences the world differently and has different access to Guyana (I would think at least).
One more word to the writing, which is meant to represent the language of Guyana and the culture, but it was mostly confusing and not beautiful for me to read. I found myself tuning out every now and again and had to reread passages because I wasn't paying attention.
As a novel however this book is highly disappointing. The story is just followwing the main character around who is not following any other purpose than to look what's there and escape from his old life. But none of his personal issues are ever really discussed (or maybe I just missed them).
As a travel journal about a foreign country this is very interesting, also because it is not written by a white man from England or America, but by an Indian, who experiences the world differently and has different access to Guyana (I would think at least).
One more word to the writing, which is meant to represent the language of Guyana and the culture, but it was mostly confusing and not beautiful for me to read. I found myself tuning out every now and again and had to reread passages because I wasn't paying attention.
nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition
2.0
oddly paced and often weirdly worded, but there were gems of clarity and captured emotion.
aprilbapryll's review against another edition
1.0
I stopped reading this - I loved the narrator's voice but I couldn't not figure out what was going on or what the point was. It was going nowhere, or at least not fast enough to keep me interested. I found I was not a person who cared.
prakash0912's review
3.0
A travelogue with a twist in the tail - rather than a novel. Vivid, evocative and authentic. A great way to visit a place one is unlikely to ever go to.
ksbisnauth's review against another edition
3.0
It took me five years to read this book!
The writing is superb. Fantastic, perfect observational skills at work. He caught the Creolese just so.
BUT there is zero story. I really could have done without part 3. The first two parts alone would have been great. Best part was the second. I liked the history bits best.
Where he lost me is that whole bit about him needing to have an adventure and making Guyana or Guyanese the backdrop of his adventure and self discovery or whatever. Ugh. No, man.
The writing is superb. Fantastic, perfect observational skills at work. He caught the Creolese just so.
BUT there is zero story. I really could have done without part 3. The first two parts alone would have been great. Best part was the second. I liked the history bits best.
Where he lost me is that whole bit about him needing to have an adventure and making Guyana or Guyanese the backdrop of his adventure and self discovery or whatever. Ugh. No, man.
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