Read Online A Small Place eBook Jamaica Kincaid

Product details File Size 165 KB Print Length 98 pages Publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1st edition (April 28, 2000) Publication Date April 28, 2000 Sold by  Digital Services LLC Language English ASIN B009WVJSBU

A Small Place eBook Jamaica Kincaid Reviews

• This was an informative, yet unfortunate take on Caribbean life, specifically the island of Antigua ( Barbuda). It begins with what seems as an attack on tourists, but then as one continues to read an understanding of why this style is necessary. It drives home the point of the average tourist's naive perception of what it means to travel to and experience the paradise or island adventure of a "small place" and the lack of knowledge of the hidden face of the corruption, disparity, and racism in which island peoples commonly deal. It certainly opened my eyes to what kind of traveler I should be when experiencing foreign lands and other cultures. Despite initially being somewhat offended by what I perceived to be Ms. Kinkaid's unflattering perception of a tourist, I think this is a must read for those seeking exposure to universal, but hidden, realities. The book is a quick read with only about 75 pages (and large print). I finished it in a couple of hours, and I don't consider myself a fast reader.
• In her book A Small Place the author Jamaica Kincaid reflects on the debilitating impacts of colonialism and slavery on her people, Antiguans. The narrator does not tell her audience, which are tourists, about the beauty of Antigua, the warm and beautiful weather of the country, or the magnificent even about beaches. She straightforwardly confronts her audience as tourists and informs them about their lack of awareness of the corrupt political system in the place they are visiting and the people who suffering consequently from outcomes. She is telling them if they were intelligent enough, they would not travel the long journey from their land to the place of Antigua in order to build up the corrupt political system. In this book, the most important themes that the author deals with are slavery, colonialism, corruption. The country is naturally beautiful and has thriving tourism industry, however, the underlining problems of corrupt system that was inherited from the slavery and colonialism, oppresses its citizens. The deep-rooted negative effects of these two brutal and inhumane systems are still visible in the political and socio economic situations of Antigua. The leaders are corrupt and work based on nepotism and political affiliations (Kincaid, 72). An irrefutable example, which the narrator uses, is the presence of Japanese made cars for taxi drivers. She states the reason why these luxurious and expensive cars are available for the drivers are because the government mandates their purchases and operations (5-6). These cars benefit the members of the government, not the people of Antigua. Her second example for the political corruption is the assignment of the Minister of Culture (46). The irony is that this minister is also the Minister of Education and Sports who controls all these offices for his advantage. She believes these offices exist for the purpose of exploitation and abuse, and not for the benefit of the country. The people of Antigua came out of slavery and colonialism, they still are suffering and are being abused and exploited by their own government.
• This was a book of the day. It was very inexpensive which is why I purchase it. It's nice to have a bunch of books for traveling, and at the low price, I couldn't resist.
• This is a wonderful book! I had to read it for a college course, and it will change the way you think about other countries that are seen as the perfect vacation destinations. Great read.
• A short but brutal look at colonialism. The form can be off putting as she writes in long almost extremely long sentences
• Kincaid is a brilliant author with a refreshing point of view. She does not write passively, does not pull her punches, instead giving you the side of the story that the reader generally won't hear otherwise. It may end up making you a little uncomfortable if you're not ready for what you're going to read, but I can't bring myself to spoil it. I had read this for one of my history courses and it remains one of my favorite non-fiction texts.
• Fascinating memoir, not for the lighthearted traveler.
• Interesting read