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The Painted Canoe
"You learn dat dis world don't love negar! And negar don't make for dis world!" Zachariah's mother warned him when he was still a boy. Yet, poor and abominably ugly, the Jamaican fisherman grasps lovingly for life, though the worst forces of nature conspire against him. Washed far out to sea in the night, Zachariah is attacked by a hammerhead shark, scorched by the Caribbean sun, hurled about by the sea which both frightens and entices him, and confused by his own encroaching madness. In a rare weave of humor and sadness, Zachariah forces himself to reflect on his life and the strangeness of chance, on anything but his place as a small man in a fragile boat in the boundless sea.
Still on land are the villagers, the woman, and the sons who comprise life for Zachariah. While he struggles with the forces of nature, the natural faith of the villagers encounters the incapacity for belief of the troubled English doctor. As the superstitions and certainties of Jamaican life and the consequences of science meet, Winkler reveals a rich understanding of the precarious balance between thought and reality, between the coincidental and the miraculous.
"This is one of those rare novels that announces its presence with such modest grace that the size of its ambition and accomplishments steals gently into the consciousness."—Michael Thelwell, Washington Post Book World
"Mr. Winkler deftly unfurls his exquisitely written story, which is redolent of the colorful patois and chaotic flavor of rural Jamaican culture."—Bob Allen, Baltimore Sun
Still on land are the villagers, the woman, and the sons who comprise life for Zachariah. While he struggles with the forces of nature, the natural faith of the villagers encounters the incapacity for belief of the troubled English doctor. As the superstitions and certainties of Jamaican life and the consequences of science meet, Winkler reveals a rich understanding of the precarious balance between thought and reality, between the coincidental and the miraculous.
"This is one of those rare novels that announces its presence with such modest grace that the size of its ambition and accomplishments steals gently into the consciousness."—Michael Thelwell, Washington Post Book World
"Mr. Winkler deftly unfurls his exquisitely written story, which is redolent of the colorful patois and chaotic flavor of rural Jamaican culture."—Bob Allen, Baltimore Sun
- GenresFictionLiterature
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 1986
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About the author
Anthony C. Winkler
68 books39 followersAnthony C. Winkler was a successful Jamaican novelist and popular contributor to many post-secondary English literary texts.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 30, 2016
I laughed so hard reading this book. Winkler can do no wrong in my books. I know I keep saying this, maybe it is nostalgia but he captures Jamaican life so well it unbelievable. I am not one for men being along at sea, I didn't enjoy "The Old Man and the Sea" but I love how Winkler had the flashes from his lonesome nights at sea to what was happening on land.
A great read!
A great read!
November 20, 2017
I picked it up randomly from bookfare in my university and I'm glad I did!
This book is so good that I've no words to describe. It made me feel so many feelings at a time...hats off to the author...
This book is so good that I've no words to describe. It made me feel so many feelings at a time...hats off to the author...
May 19, 2012
This soul-searching story of an ugly fisherman lost at sea is so gripping in its graphic detail and island symbolism that I simply could not put it down. It seems to sum up Jamaica and Jamaican society perfectly. Winkler's best yet.
July 28, 2012
Anthony Winkler is a great Caribbean writer. I love his characters and the Caribbean sights and sounds presented in all of his novels. This book is a magical treat. You will fall in love with the hero and weep a few tears...
July 23, 2016
Can't decided, this could be my favorite, and I've read many of Winklers books. As a Jamaican born and raised it took me home, so many times as I turned the pages!
October 16, 2023
This story had the feeling of a parable, as if told by an old man on a porch to a small gathering of family and neighbors in rapt attention. Shades of The Old Man and the Sea. There was also some really beautiful writing sprinkled throughout. An interesting window into a very specific world.
August 28, 2018
When should we start to pray? Loved the authors answer to this question.
July 19, 2024
This took me so long to read idk why because the writing was super engaging! I enjoyed this 👍
April 24, 2023
We found a copy of this book at a resort/restaurant in Jamaica. Back home I purchased a copy after reviewing it on Goodreads.
It is a great read; lots of colour and taste. The descriptions and small stories in the novel are wonderful.
I should mention that my copy is the 2006 Macmillan Publishers edition with an introuction by the author that is terrific as well
It is a great read; lots of colour and taste. The descriptions and small stories in the novel are wonderful.
I should mention that my copy is the 2006 Macmillan Publishers edition with an introuction by the author that is terrific as well
April 28, 2023
The Painted Canoe is another book I received from Rebel Women Lit from my book subscription. The book is about Zachariah, a poor fisherman from rural Jamaica, who gets lost at sea. In between recounting his time at sea throughout the book, we also get insight into Archibald, a white doctor who gives us a sublot in between Zachariah’s story. The reason their stories intersect is because Archibald is Zachariah’s doctor and getting insight into both of these characters illuminates a dynamic between British people and Jamaicans in which both live in constant tension beside each other. While both stories are compelling, the doctor’s behavior throughout the story was fascinating and something I want to flesh out here. Throughout reading this book, I realized Winkler (the author) gave us an excellent opportunity to talk about how the healthcare system and white supremacy, especially as we see many Black folx die during COVID-19.
If you decide to read this book, I can tell you now, you are going to hate this doctor. He personifies everything I hate about white supremacy, the violent power, the condescending nature, and the overall bigotry. It was pretty clear that he hated Black people, yet he made a decision everyday to stay in Jamaica and have constant interactions with Black people through his clinic. Throughout the book I kept asking myself: “Why would he care for people he hated?” And furthermore, “Why would he stay on an island where he was so unhappy?”
As the book went on, though, I realized I had met many people like this doctor. These people insert themselves in Black people’s business even though they have a depraved indifference to their wellbeing. I thought of my college president, trustees and administration, for example. They claimed to support the Black Lives Matter movement by putting out some emails about diversity but made little effort to meet the demands of Black students on campus. Why would you insert yourself in a position where care for Black people is a main aspect of your job, but you are indifferent to the humanity of Black people? While the people in my life may not be as openly hateful as the doctor in the Painted Canoe, they do hold power in their positions to held Black people. And while they may do some good, the overall condition of Black people stays the same due to their indifference to Black humanity.
This point is important to understand during COVID-19 because Black people are at a higher risk of death due to pre-existing conditions and other environmental risks. AND THESE DEATHS ARE AVOIDABLE. I would suggest the book Medical Apartheid if you want a more educational look at these topics. But with the Painted Canoe, I found myself not only being angry at this dynamic, but also wondering what place faith-based traditions have in this dynamic. Winkler juxtaposing religious traditions and medical practices showed me there is a larger place faith-based traditions can play in healing from physical and mental ailments. For example, throughout the book, there was a hierarchy that placed obeah at the bottom, Christian practices somewhere in the middle, and rational Western-based thought at the top of the hierarchy of legitimate resources people have for healing. If you decide to read the book, it could be interesting to talk more about Obeah and how to move forward with these practices. During this time of many people getting sick and some recovering, I think this book serves as a great testament to start figuring out our relationships to the medical industry, faith-based work and healing.
If you decide to read this book, I can tell you now, you are going to hate this doctor. He personifies everything I hate about white supremacy, the violent power, the condescending nature, and the overall bigotry. It was pretty clear that he hated Black people, yet he made a decision everyday to stay in Jamaica and have constant interactions with Black people through his clinic. Throughout the book I kept asking myself: “Why would he care for people he hated?” And furthermore, “Why would he stay on an island where he was so unhappy?”
As the book went on, though, I realized I had met many people like this doctor. These people insert themselves in Black people’s business even though they have a depraved indifference to their wellbeing. I thought of my college president, trustees and administration, for example. They claimed to support the Black Lives Matter movement by putting out some emails about diversity but made little effort to meet the demands of Black students on campus. Why would you insert yourself in a position where care for Black people is a main aspect of your job, but you are indifferent to the humanity of Black people? While the people in my life may not be as openly hateful as the doctor in the Painted Canoe, they do hold power in their positions to held Black people. And while they may do some good, the overall condition of Black people stays the same due to their indifference to Black humanity.
This point is important to understand during COVID-19 because Black people are at a higher risk of death due to pre-existing conditions and other environmental risks. AND THESE DEATHS ARE AVOIDABLE. I would suggest the book Medical Apartheid if you want a more educational look at these topics. But with the Painted Canoe, I found myself not only being angry at this dynamic, but also wondering what place faith-based traditions have in this dynamic. Winkler juxtaposing religious traditions and medical practices showed me there is a larger place faith-based traditions can play in healing from physical and mental ailments. For example, throughout the book, there was a hierarchy that placed obeah at the bottom, Christian practices somewhere in the middle, and rational Western-based thought at the top of the hierarchy of legitimate resources people have for healing. If you decide to read the book, it could be interesting to talk more about Obeah and how to move forward with these practices. During this time of many people getting sick and some recovering, I think this book serves as a great testament to start figuring out our relationships to the medical industry, faith-based work and healing.
July 19, 2025
This book by Anthony Winkler completely blew me away! The way he captures Jamaica's spirit and tells this survival story with both humor and depth just pulls you right in. His characters feel so real, and the dialogue rings true—I honestly can't stop thinking about it and would give anything to write like him someday.
July 27, 2011
A good read. Unnecessarily informative for someone who speaks the language. Fairly preposterous in his choice of antagonists. But the characters themselves are well portrayed and the underlying story's themes are pretty deep and the kind of thing I can imagine being worth some serious study.
July 19, 2010
Great read.
September 6, 2016
Loved this book. Loved the spirit of determination exhibited by the main character.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews