One thing that was interesting about this novel, similar to the others that we’ve read in this class, is that it is told from a child’s perspective and point of view. I expected that it would be a bit darker in a sense simply because of the fact that it deals with racism and plantations and slavery, but what I found unique was that José often had a very joyful outlook or tended to find moments of excitement and play with his friends even in the midst of the difficult situations and life experiences of the adults around him. I think all those moments, joyful or not, painful or not, are important to include because they create a more complex and wholistic story. Over the course of the novel I think José loses some of that initial innocence, particularly as he joins school and notices that “there was no one like me” (155) and later gets let in on the darker experiences through Carmen’s stories and as he comes to his own conclusions about race and the power structures he observes, but in the beginning, it was interesting to read about the kids finding ways to enjoy themselves in a difficult and oppressive system. It’s a story and a perspective I find that isn’t often seen or shown.

The scene and setting descriptions in this novel were really well done. Every location that José went to or visited felt rooted and realistic because of the way they were described, whether it be Black Shack Alley, the school, or his various homes and dwelling places as he grows up. The character of his M’man Tine was very inspiring because of all the work she did for him and all that she sacrificed for his future. When it got to the end and José said he’d tell a story, I felt I could see the novel through a new pair of eyes as more of a biographical account. All of the individual scenes and experiences José had with his friends and the people he encountered joined together and made me wonder about the author and how much of the novel or what parts were inspired by his own life or experience.

I liked the commentary on novels and who is on the margins or left out because their stories don’t get told, and the way that this story tells a perspective that is important and has a place on bookshelves. I think what this novel does well is to describe a life and experiences in all their vivid detail to challenge what is “literary” and to simply make space for the stories that are often left out.

My question for the class would be: what did you think of the style of writing? What did you find that the descriptions of scene/setting added to the story?

Memorable quote: “I could make out all the traits in the face and all the expressions of the master storyteller, carried away by his feelings into the magical domain to which he lifted up his enraptured audience” (68)

Peace,

Maia