Lyrical and evocative novel exploring themes of slavery, madness and migration, set in Jamaica starring Bella, a shape-shifter who lives on through the generations, in one incarnation then another, hiding the burden of her strange nature from others.
Marcia Douglas, who was born in England and grew up in Jamaica, presents poems beginning with the image of the voicelessness of the country people who witness the coming of lights to Cocoa Bottom but have no one amongst them to record the event. Each poem has its own poignant individually, but there is also a powerful sense of architecture which runs through the collection.
Flamingo, a young writer in Jamaica, finds herself enmeshed in the world of her fictional characters in this inspiring and poetic novel about hope and the ravages of recent Jamaican economic and social upheavals. When poverty, emigration, and political turmoil in the fictional world oblige Flamingo's characters to disperse, the one-eyed protagonist Alva solicits Flamingo's help to bring them back together. The innovative novel is organized as a writers' notebook and sprinkled with recipes, herbal remedies, dream interpretations, and various other interjections evoking the culture and traditions of Jamaica.
Set against the backdrop of the Kingston ghettos and the Emperor's palace in Addis Ababa, the narrative explores the contrasting realms of the living and the vibrant afterlife. It delves into themes of existence, culture, and the interplay between life and death, weaving a rich tapestry of experiences that transcend earthly boundaries. The journey through these diverse worlds reveals profound insights into the human condition and the mysteries of the afterlife.