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Summer Lightning and Other Stories
Olive Senior is one of Jamaica's most exciting creative talents. Summer Lightning is her first collection of short stories.
Her setting is rural Jamaica; her heroes are the naïve and the vulnerable, who bring to life with power and realism issues such as snobbery, ambition, jealousy, faith and love.
Written in vivid, colourful detail, these rich compelling stories recreate with sensitivity and wit a whole range of emotions, from childhood hope to brooding melancholy. Each is told with an affectionate and poignant perception of you and I at our best and worst. Gently we are led, laughing, crying, but always enjoying.
Her setting is rural Jamaica; her heroes are the naïve and the vulnerable, who bring to life with power and realism issues such as snobbery, ambition, jealousy, faith and love.
Written in vivid, colourful detail, these rich compelling stories recreate with sensitivity and wit a whole range of emotions, from childhood hope to brooding melancholy. Each is told with an affectionate and poignant perception of you and I at our best and worst. Gently we are led, laughing, crying, but always enjoying.
134 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
23 people are currently reading
978 people want to read
About the author
Olive Senior
43 books107 followersOlive Senior was born and brought up in Jamaica in 1941 and educated in Jamaica and Canada. She is a graduate of Montego Bay High School and Carleton University, Ottawa.
She is one of Canada's most internationally recognized and acclaimed writers having left Jamaica in 1989, spending some years in Europe and since 1993 being based in Toronto.
Among her many awards and honours she has won the Commonwealth Writers Prize and F.G. Bressani Literary Prize, was nominated for a Governor-General’s Literary Award, and was runner up for the Casa de Las Americas Prize and the Pat Lowther Award. In 2003, she received the Norman Washington Manley Foundation Award for Excellence (preservation of cultural heritage – Jamaica). Her body of published work includes four books of poetry, three collections of short stories and several award-winning non-fiction works on Caribbean culture.
She is one of Canada's most internationally recognized and acclaimed writers having left Jamaica in 1989, spending some years in Europe and since 1993 being based in Toronto.
Among her many awards and honours she has won the Commonwealth Writers Prize and F.G. Bressani Literary Prize, was nominated for a Governor-General’s Literary Award, and was runner up for the Casa de Las Americas Prize and the Pat Lowther Award. In 2003, she received the Norman Washington Manley Foundation Award for Excellence (preservation of cultural heritage – Jamaica). Her body of published work includes four books of poetry, three collections of short stories and several award-winning non-fiction works on Caribbean culture.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 16, 2022
The protagonists in this collection of ten stories are forlorn, mostly children, who live in rural Jamaica. They’re observant of the world around them, highly acute to the conditions that make themselves and those around them as they are, and make efforts to grasp at and understand that which would be simply termed as their lives.
It’s strange that I can now be able to tell while reading a work of fiction that its author also writes poetry. The way the narrative’s form, even at the sentence level, lends itself to the needs of the story, and makes whatever use it has to while at times disregarding typical form, as well as that way of, seemingly, rounding the story as it ends, might have something to do with this, but I wasn’t surprised to learn later that Olive Senior does write poetry as well.
This is a brilliant collection. I’ve been awed at the skill used to carry the stories off, but even more by the care and sensitivity the writer gives the experiences of the characters that people this story. Writing about poverty can bend towards the voyeuristic. Which isn’t to mean that poverty shouldn’t be written about, or that the suffering of the impoverished shouldn’t be recorded and highlighted. But storytelling, especially in places termed as “developing” or “third world”, can turn the conditions of poverty and deprivation into a kind of spectacle-something to marvel at, arouse disgust or pity, which if anything creates even more distance between the reader and the subjects of the story. Normally in these cases the writers aren’t even from the impoverished communities they depict, and even when they are of origin of the “third world” countries, they’re typically from a class that’s insulated from these depictions, and the intended audience for the stories is, also, not the subjects of the stories themselves; often is intended for those in “developed” or “first world” countries. But reading through this story it’s apparent the amount of genuine love the writer has for the world she artfully depicts and it shows in the level of complexity she’s given to the characters and the relations they have with each other and the world around them.
Star ratings are difficult for me, I’m not going to pretend that there’s a sure formula that I always abide by, and short story collections are even more difficult to rate. For one it’s unrealistic to expect that all short stories will be excellent or on the same level, but seven out of ten of these stories were excellent and given all that I’ve explained so far, this book shouldn’t be getting anything less than five stars from me.
It’s strange that I can now be able to tell while reading a work of fiction that its author also writes poetry. The way the narrative’s form, even at the sentence level, lends itself to the needs of the story, and makes whatever use it has to while at times disregarding typical form, as well as that way of, seemingly, rounding the story as it ends, might have something to do with this, but I wasn’t surprised to learn later that Olive Senior does write poetry as well.
This is a brilliant collection. I’ve been awed at the skill used to carry the stories off, but even more by the care and sensitivity the writer gives the experiences of the characters that people this story. Writing about poverty can bend towards the voyeuristic. Which isn’t to mean that poverty shouldn’t be written about, or that the suffering of the impoverished shouldn’t be recorded and highlighted. But storytelling, especially in places termed as “developing” or “third world”, can turn the conditions of poverty and deprivation into a kind of spectacle-something to marvel at, arouse disgust or pity, which if anything creates even more distance between the reader and the subjects of the story. Normally in these cases the writers aren’t even from the impoverished communities they depict, and even when they are of origin of the “third world” countries, they’re typically from a class that’s insulated from these depictions, and the intended audience for the stories is, also, not the subjects of the stories themselves; often is intended for those in “developed” or “first world” countries. But reading through this story it’s apparent the amount of genuine love the writer has for the world she artfully depicts and it shows in the level of complexity she’s given to the characters and the relations they have with each other and the world around them.
Star ratings are difficult for me, I’m not going to pretend that there’s a sure formula that I always abide by, and short story collections are even more difficult to rate. For one it’s unrealistic to expect that all short stories will be excellent or on the same level, but seven out of ten of these stories were excellent and given all that I’ve explained so far, this book shouldn’t be getting anything less than five stars from me.
June 18, 2023
A fantastic collection of stories. I especially loved 'Bright Thursdays'.
June 12, 2020
This is a collection of ten short stories by a Jamaican author. I wasn't too sure what to expect or what the stories would be about, but I ended up really loving four of the stories and the others were ok too (just not favorites). Not one of the stories were bad.
Many of the stories in here contain unique words and / or words written as accents (dialect). Most of the time I didn't have any problems with it but I did find it a tad difficult in the story called "Ascot". This was a story about a banana thief.
I also realized that many of the tales, especially the ones near the front of the book, are about the relationship between the grandparents and the grandkids...how these different generations can't agree on things. Often the younger generation is going astray and making poor choices. Other tales were about children.
Some of my favorite stories in the book include:
Bright Thursdays: how a poor girl from the county tries to adjust to living in a fancy mansion.
Real Old Time T'ing: how a woman loves old stuff while fixing up her father's run down house and gets a surprise.
Do Angels Wear Brassieres?: How a young child asks an important man from the church some very unusual but difficult questions.
The Boy Who Loved Ice Cream: how a young boy looks forward to his first taste of ice cream at a once-a-year fair while his father is very sidetracked by something else.
And Love Orange gives us a look at the unusual way that young children can think...
I found the very last story, Ballad, to be too sad and bitter to enjoy. I thought the characters mother was just too harsh and hateful to actually enjoy the tale. The girl in this one is being given conflicting advice from two different parties.
Many of the stories in here contain unique words and / or words written as accents (dialect). Most of the time I didn't have any problems with it but I did find it a tad difficult in the story called "Ascot". This was a story about a banana thief.
I also realized that many of the tales, especially the ones near the front of the book, are about the relationship between the grandparents and the grandkids...how these different generations can't agree on things. Often the younger generation is going astray and making poor choices. Other tales were about children.
Some of my favorite stories in the book include:
Bright Thursdays: how a poor girl from the county tries to adjust to living in a fancy mansion.
Real Old Time T'ing: how a woman loves old stuff while fixing up her father's run down house and gets a surprise.
Do Angels Wear Brassieres?: How a young child asks an important man from the church some very unusual but difficult questions.
The Boy Who Loved Ice Cream: how a young boy looks forward to his first taste of ice cream at a once-a-year fair while his father is very sidetracked by something else.
And Love Orange gives us a look at the unusual way that young children can think...
I found the very last story, Ballad, to be too sad and bitter to enjoy. I thought the characters mother was just too harsh and hateful to actually enjoy the tale. The girl in this one is being given conflicting advice from two different parties.
May 3, 2014
A very good collection of short stories. Each story is compelling and leaves you with a range of emotions. What stood out as a lesson for me is that life isn't black and white; that humans are complex beings who can do good as well as bad. altogether, these stories came together well and complemented each other.
February 18, 2019
This here has got to be one of the best short story collections I have ever read. Well thought out and neatly crafted.
Each of the stories in here is well written with clear, concise prose and the characters stay with you long after you have closed the pages of the book.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this, and I see myself going back to it over and over again just to learn from the magic of Olive Senior.
Would recommend it to anyone who loves short stories.
Each of the stories in here is well written with clear, concise prose and the characters stay with you long after you have closed the pages of the book.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this, and I see myself going back to it over and over again just to learn from the magic of Olive Senior.
Would recommend it to anyone who loves short stories.
December 13, 2013
A captivating collection of well told stories.
August 14, 2021
This is well-written. Authentic and engaging, I was transported to small town and rural Jamaica 🇯🇲 in the 1900s which everyone knows everyone. It reminds me of the place my mother grew up. Each story had a bit of humour and heartbreak and humanity. I like how Senior infused Jamaican English.
June 3, 2019
Short stories can be frustrating for anyone who enjoys epic tales but this book completely changed my perspective.
Olive Senior revives rural Jamaica in every aspect of this collection. Her writing style is reminiscent of West Indian story-telling tradition, as if the readers have drawn in close to listen to stories about the good old days. No two stories are alike and at the same time, it all seems so familiar. The people, their unique names, their lives and even the language are all purely authentic. Being from a rural village myself, it all resonated with me on such a profound level.
The stories all focus on the world of young people, enabling the reader to see the world through the eyes of a child, to better understand their seemingly trivial problems and to be more attentive to their needs. Their outlook on life can be comical, worrying or even horrifying but in each case, we are reminded of the role that we play in guiding and moulding our youth, even if they don't always turn out how we hope they will.
Again, as a lover of epic tales, I must say that it is astounding to see how so much can be said in so few words and how words on a page could be so impactful, leaving me internally shaken but externally inert.
Olive Senior revives rural Jamaica in every aspect of this collection. Her writing style is reminiscent of West Indian story-telling tradition, as if the readers have drawn in close to listen to stories about the good old days. No two stories are alike and at the same time, it all seems so familiar. The people, their unique names, their lives and even the language are all purely authentic. Being from a rural village myself, it all resonated with me on such a profound level.
The stories all focus on the world of young people, enabling the reader to see the world through the eyes of a child, to better understand their seemingly trivial problems and to be more attentive to their needs. Their outlook on life can be comical, worrying or even horrifying but in each case, we are reminded of the role that we play in guiding and moulding our youth, even if they don't always turn out how we hope they will.
Again, as a lover of epic tales, I must say that it is astounding to see how so much can be said in so few words and how words on a page could be so impactful, leaving me internally shaken but externally inert.
November 4, 2017
I first read and thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection at age 15. This book made me wish I could write, and the short story format was a delight. It won the Commonwealth Writers Prize in 1987 and was a debut short story collection.
On re-reading this collection I am still in awe of the imagery of rural Jamaica mainly told from the eyes of children. It deals with weighty topics such as religion, abuse, death and grief, friendships and desires as well as lighter stories. This time around I am finding it hard to pick a favorite story, they all resonate on some level. But there are a few stories that leave you without a concrete ending- Summer Lightning and The Country of the One-eye God. The only drawback is that this would require a glossary of terms for the dialect used. I have lived in Jamaica, so I know some of the terms and others I guessed. But for non-Caribbean readers, the dialect would be a challenge.
Highly recommended.
On re-reading this collection I am still in awe of the imagery of rural Jamaica mainly told from the eyes of children. It deals with weighty topics such as religion, abuse, death and grief, friendships and desires as well as lighter stories. This time around I am finding it hard to pick a favorite story, they all resonate on some level. But there are a few stories that leave you without a concrete ending- Summer Lightning and The Country of the One-eye God. The only drawback is that this would require a glossary of terms for the dialect used. I have lived in Jamaica, so I know some of the terms and others I guessed. But for non-Caribbean readers, the dialect would be a challenge.
Highly recommended.
October 11, 2020
"I don't care if I don't turn teacher with press hair and new dress. I believe it better to be someone that can laugh and make other people laugh and be happy too."
First published in 1986, this is a lovely collection of short stories, mostly set in rural parts of Jamaica at a time when people made their own clothes, electricity and running water was a dream, and hardly any of the children went to high school.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and found the patois and non-traditional punctuation absolutely fine to get used to. The skill of Senior to create such different and vivid characters, often laced with humour, as well as moralistic undertones was great to read as my first foray into Senior's writing. I was particularly impressed with how each separate narrator or protagonist in each short story was written in a wholly new voice from the last.
"just in case Archdeacon can stop for tea Auntie Mary bake a fruitcake a upside-down cake a three-layer cake a chocolate cake for she don't know which he prefer also some coconut cookies for although the Archdeacon is an Englishman don't say he don't like his little Jamaican dainties."
Favourites of mine were: Summer Lightning, Do Angels Wear Brassieres and The Boy Who Loved Ice Cream.
First published in 1986, this is a lovely collection of short stories, mostly set in rural parts of Jamaica at a time when people made their own clothes, electricity and running water was a dream, and hardly any of the children went to high school.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and found the patois and non-traditional punctuation absolutely fine to get used to. The skill of Senior to create such different and vivid characters, often laced with humour, as well as moralistic undertones was great to read as my first foray into Senior's writing. I was particularly impressed with how each separate narrator or protagonist in each short story was written in a wholly new voice from the last.
"just in case Archdeacon can stop for tea Auntie Mary bake a fruitcake a upside-down cake a three-layer cake a chocolate cake for she don't know which he prefer also some coconut cookies for although the Archdeacon is an Englishman don't say he don't like his little Jamaican dainties."
Favourites of mine were: Summer Lightning, Do Angels Wear Brassieres and The Boy Who Loved Ice Cream.
March 21, 2025
This book is delightful, although it certainly has pain and suffering throughout as well. Humor along with the deepest of poignant human circumstances coexist in an intertwining of poetically written narrative trails in ten separate stories, each unique. There is a certain rhythm established in the author’s telling through the language of a rich Jamaican Patois. I found looking up examples of the native slang less necessary as I became more familiar, and I enjoyed the newness and sound of it increasingly. Perspective is often from a child who is bright and in a situation of conflict with the adult world in some way, as well as difficulty in living conditions. I am so happy to have discovered Olive Senior and have already ordered a second book, The Pain Tree.
October 14, 2022
This is my favourite book of short stories.From the nostalgia of old time sinting to the questioning of God concerning the plight of the poor make this a classic.Olive Senior took me on a journey laced with reflection and humor that is uniquely Jamaican.I had to share excerpt from this book with family members because in her pen she writes with a conviction that is uncompromisingly and unmistakably BRAND JAMAICA.
July 13, 2022
Some stories that stood out were ‘summer lightning’ ‘bright Thursdays’ ‘ice cream’ ‘do angels wear brassieres’ and ‘confirmation day’. The last story was too challenging as mainly in dialect. This author certainly knows how to write short stories which is not an easy format to follow. I read this as part of the platinum jubilee list.
December 20, 2023
Superb collection of stories. Standouts to me were “Summer Lightning” (reminded me of Nayer Massud), “Love Orange,” (sad and sweet) “Country of the One Eye God” (a bit of a classic morality tale vibe), and (best of all) “Bright Thursdays” —excoriates the confinement and rigidity of colonial manners and life.
July 8, 2025
I feel like I would’ve given it 5 but there are no happy endings for any of the children narrators in this book. It’s a good book though, it just makes me feel bad for the children and how they are treated by the adults.
November 24, 2023
Some very good stories but some I didn't enjoy
November 24, 2025
Love orange was a very pretty story about grieving
Very difficult for me to read. The language used was challenging
Maybe I’ll read it again one day
Very difficult for me to read. The language used was challenging
Maybe I’ll read it again one day
Currently reading
November 11, 2025Rereading Summer Lightning all these years later has been illuminating. I'm responding to things differently than I did ten years ago. While I still can't always decipher the stories, I find them touching. I'm reading it slowly, savouring it.
November 3, 2014
These stories are set in Jamaica, and on first reading, I mistook the dialect as rural South. I enjoyed the stories more with a Jamaican accent, rather than a Southern one. I'm not sure if it's because the stories got better as they went along, or if it just got easier to read the quasi-phonetic spelling of words, or perhaps some other reason my therapist will need to extract from the deep, dark, recesses of my mind at some future point.
No real laugh-out-loud stories, but some culturally significant story lines were present, primarily centered around women. It did take some getting used to, for not only are many of the words presented phonetically, but the sentence structure is similar to the African American English/Ebonics, i.e. sentences without present tense is and are, or that use the invariant of be.
Interesting enough, and worth reading if you are looking for stories about the Jamaican culture.
No real laugh-out-loud stories, but some culturally significant story lines were present, primarily centered around women. It did take some getting used to, for not only are many of the words presented phonetically, but the sentence structure is similar to the African American English/Ebonics, i.e. sentences without present tense is and are, or that use the invariant of be.
Interesting enough, and worth reading if you are looking for stories about the Jamaican culture.
December 7, 2023
read a handful of stories and senior truly has a way. not just a way with words but a way with worlds. she crafts atmosphere so fluidly and sucks you into the world of the narrative long before you realise it. her range is incredibly impressive, especially when you compare "country of the one eye god" to "do angels wear brassieres?" the difference is astounding: one rips your heartstrings from your chest through your mouth, the other makes you chuckle and giggle like a child in the back of the classroom. regardless of the genre, senior never fails to capture both character and setting with a sombre, thrumming beauty.
August 11, 2012
Very good collection of short stories based on Caribbean Island life and society.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews