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Angel: A Novel
Angel, a young woman of the Caribbean island of Grenada, returns to her community from college, a committed political activist
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
4 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Merle Collins
19 books17 followersMerle Collins (born 1950 in Aruba) is a Grenadian poet and short story writer.
Collins' parents are from Grenada, where they returned shortly after her birth. Her primary education was in St George's, Grenada. She later studied at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica, earning degrees in English and Spanish in 1972. She then taught history and Spanish in Grenada for two years and subsequently in St Lucia. In 1980, she graduated from Georgetown University with a master's degree in Latin American Studies. She graduated from the London School of Economics with a Ph.D. in Government.
Collins was deeply involved in the Grenadian Revolution and served as a government coordinator for research on Latin America and the Caribbean. She left Grenada in 1983.
From 1984 to 1995, Collins taught at the University of North London. She is currently Professor of Comparative Literature and English at the University of Maryland. Her critical works include "Themes and Trends in Caribbean Writing Today" in From My Guy to Sci-Fi: Genre and Women's Writing in the Postmodern World< (ed. Helen Carr, Pandora Press, 1989), and "To be Free is Very Sweet" in Slavery and Abolition (Vol.15, issue 3, 1994, pp. 96–103).
(from Wikipedia)
Collins' parents are from Grenada, where they returned shortly after her birth. Her primary education was in St George's, Grenada. She later studied at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica, earning degrees in English and Spanish in 1972. She then taught history and Spanish in Grenada for two years and subsequently in St Lucia. In 1980, she graduated from Georgetown University with a master's degree in Latin American Studies. She graduated from the London School of Economics with a Ph.D. in Government.
Collins was deeply involved in the Grenadian Revolution and served as a government coordinator for research on Latin America and the Caribbean. She left Grenada in 1983.
From 1984 to 1995, Collins taught at the University of North London. She is currently Professor of Comparative Literature and English at the University of Maryland. Her critical works include "Themes and Trends in Caribbean Writing Today" in From My Guy to Sci-Fi: Genre and Women's Writing in the Postmodern World< (ed. Helen Carr, Pandora Press, 1989), and "To be Free is Very Sweet" in Slavery and Abolition (Vol.15, issue 3, 1994, pp. 96–103).
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 2, 2009
I bought this book in a bookstore in Grenada the first time we were there, and it's about Grenada. Angel grows up from before independence, through the New Jewel Movement coup, and on through the American "intervention." A feel for the life of the people, especially in the countryside, and the conflicts and issues involved in Grenada's modern history, through the life of this young woman. Mostly what we know from our end is that Reagan sent in troops because (1) the Cubans were helping to build an airport, (2) there were US medical students there (conveniently), and (3) a faction of the New Jewel movement assassinated Maurice Bishop, the leader. Reading this novel broadened my understanding of what happened. And it has Caribbean flavor.
November 5, 2021
Reto de lectura 2021: Autores del Caribe (8 de 12)
Lo más interesante de esta novela es que el contexto histórico de la independencia de Granada hasta la invasión de esta por los Estados Unidos a principios de los ochenta es algo que ocurre únicamente como trasfondo, centrándose en cambio en hablar de la vida de tres generaciones de mujeres que viven el devenir de la historia desde la cotidianidad del núcleo familiar. Aún así es un muy detallado retrato de la vida en la isla, con sus dinámicas de clase, una clara denuncia de la misoginia presente incluso dentro del mismo contexto racial/social, y la inevitablemente decepcionante relación de estas mujeres con la política. Me ha parecido también un tanto dispersa y la falta de una protagonista fija (incluso teniendo en cuenta el título) hizo que me costara conectar con la trama en más de una ocasión.
Lo más interesante de esta novela es que el contexto histórico de la independencia de Granada hasta la invasión de esta por los Estados Unidos a principios de los ochenta es algo que ocurre únicamente como trasfondo, centrándose en cambio en hablar de la vida de tres generaciones de mujeres que viven el devenir de la historia desde la cotidianidad del núcleo familiar. Aún así es un muy detallado retrato de la vida en la isla, con sus dinámicas de clase, una clara denuncia de la misoginia presente incluso dentro del mismo contexto racial/social, y la inevitablemente decepcionante relación de estas mujeres con la política. Me ha parecido también un tanto dispersa y la falta de una protagonista fija (incluso teniendo en cuenta el título) hizo que me costara conectar con la trama en más de una ocasión.
April 2, 2021
Global Read Challenge 90: Grenada
I found this book was better read in large chunks of time. Every time I started reading it, it took me a little bit to get into the style of writing and the mini chapters, but once I was engaged I was very engaged. The book was good at educating readers without detracting too much from the story.
I found this book was better read in large chunks of time. Every time I started reading it, it took me a little bit to get into the style of writing and the mini chapters, but once I was engaged I was very engaged. The book was good at educating readers without detracting too much from the story.
May 9, 2022
“Angel” is a great work of art. Ms. Collins has managed with grace and honesty to bring forth this work of art which serves as a platform on which voiceless Grenadians speak their truth. It is unpretentious. Like the skilled artist she is, she allows the characters to tell story of their lives.
The historical background of the book is one that Grenadians of a certain generation can relate to and affirm is mostly factual. The author has laid bare the issues of race, class, and colorism in Caribbean societies that is sometimes overlooked.
So much of a people’s identity is wrapped up in the language they use. As a colonized people, Grenadians have had little choice but to use the languages of their colonizers. However, the fact that they have managed to craft those tongues to suit their circumstances is a tribute to their creativity. Ms. Collins captures this well in her patois spiced dialogues as well as her narratives.
Angel is a well written, captivating piece of work. There is nothing dull here. I strongly recommend this book especially for younger Grenadians. It is so important for people to see and appreciate themselves in a work of art produced by one of their own. Well done Ms. Collins! you have made a remarkable contribution to Caribbean literature.
The historical background of the book is one that Grenadians of a certain generation can relate to and affirm is mostly factual. The author has laid bare the issues of race, class, and colorism in Caribbean societies that is sometimes overlooked.
So much of a people’s identity is wrapped up in the language they use. As a colonized people, Grenadians have had little choice but to use the languages of their colonizers. However, the fact that they have managed to craft those tongues to suit their circumstances is a tribute to their creativity. Ms. Collins captures this well in her patois spiced dialogues as well as her narratives.
Angel is a well written, captivating piece of work. There is nothing dull here. I strongly recommend this book especially for younger Grenadians. It is so important for people to see and appreciate themselves in a work of art produced by one of their own. Well done Ms. Collins! you have made a remarkable contribution to Caribbean literature.
November 28, 2017
I enjoyed the infusion in Caribbean life and revolutionary struggles that this novel brought me, told through the viewpoint of a working class family. I wasn't very familiar with Grenada other than a vague knowledge that the U.S. was involved there for something some time, so this was quite educational for me. Fair warning: Island speech will seep into your thoughts and speaking while reading this. :)
June 12, 2022
The characters leap off the page. Doodsie works her fingers to the bone and puts up with multiple indignities to provide her children with a better life. Her children become involved in the turbulent politics of Grenada. The history of Grenada is worked out through the characters even as their love and humor are the only constant.
December 12, 2024
Simply a joy to read. Merle Collins’ fiction as well as her essays are a treasure trove for anyone seriously thinking about the shifting narrativisation of Revolution in the wake of the Revo’s demise
January 26, 2018
Despite a few typo errors a good read.
Want to read
February 24, 2013dis book is awesome i love it
July 29, 2010
a great example of voice and community from the Caribbean.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews