Journey to the Land of Look Behind

by Denise Laidler

Talented and driven Indigo Wade is entrenched in the daily rigors of her frenzied life. Hemmed in by disillusionment with her engineering career, the expectations of a tyrannical mother and bloodless matches with her lover, Reed she yearns for a life of her own design. A whiskey soaked voice from her childhood pulls her back to her island roots to face the father whose instincts capsizes notions of kinship and trust. What begins as a reluctant trip home becomes an odyssey of discovery and truth-telling. Set in New Orleans and Jamaica, Journey to the Land of Look Behind illustrates what’s left amidst the wreckage of a woman abandoned by a father who navigates relationships like a chess grandmaster. From the intoxicating bacchanal of New Orleans' speakeasies to the green grottoes of Port Antonio, hers is a journey beyond the bounds of family and obligation to full self-emancipation.

552 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2013

Reviews

[Eleni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel follows the journey of one young woman as she struggles to come to terms with her difficult relationships, the past and her complicated family. With vivid description and strong characters, the story shifts from New Orleans to Jamaica and back again. The use of dialect, musical references and description of the cuisine add texture and depth to this dramatic book. This is an author with a unique voice. Can't wait to read her next book.

[Steven Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd really give this 3.5 stars. My only complaint is that I often got lost in the long stretches of narrative (I've been working on this awhile). Interesting characters, settings, and flashbacks, though, and fascinating cultural profiles. Great title too. Not my usual choice, but I'm happy I discovered this book. I purchased and read the Kindle edition.