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The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh
From the award-winning author of Love After Love, comes an epic of wonder, danger and risk.
This is the tale of four women.
Popo: brilliant, vulnerable and stuck. She's determined to free herself from the traps of her past.
Mana Lala: a devoted mother - her only connection to her man is their little boy, and she will do anything to keep them close.
For Doris, well he's glorious and once she's licked him into shape, her husband presents an opportunity to climb the social ladder. She's heard the awful stories, but she's sure they won't be hers.
Rosie just wants to mind her business, her lover, Etty, and her store.
Four lives, connected and controlled by one man: the notorious, charismatic gangster Boysie Singh. Pull up a chair and let these women tell of the man they believed could love, help or free them, and how some of them survived to tell a tale at all.
This is the tale of four women.
Popo: brilliant, vulnerable and stuck. She's determined to free herself from the traps of her past.
Mana Lala: a devoted mother - her only connection to her man is their little boy, and she will do anything to keep them close.
For Doris, well he's glorious and once she's licked him into shape, her husband presents an opportunity to climb the social ladder. She's heard the awful stories, but she's sure they won't be hers.
Rosie just wants to mind her business, her lover, Etty, and her store.
Four lives, connected and controlled by one man: the notorious, charismatic gangster Boysie Singh. Pull up a chair and let these women tell of the man they believed could love, help or free them, and how some of them survived to tell a tale at all.
576 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2024
55 people are currently reading
2005 people want to read
About the author
Ingrid Persaud
7 books295 followersIngrid Persaud is a Trinidadian writer and artist. She lives in Barbados and London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 22, 2024
Brilliant, captivating, brimming with culture, and dark piece of Trinidad and Tobago’s history, the perfect read if you love Caribbean literature.
Ingrid Persaud knows how to write Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, history and lifestyle in the most nuanced way and she shows us this, first with Love After Love and now with The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh . This is an un-put-downable read filled with characters you will scream at, cheer for and won’t ever forget.
If you don’t know, Boysie Singh was a notorious Trinidadian killer who was eventually hanged for murder in the mid-1950s. He was charged three times for murder and on the third time he was convicted and hung. The historical fiction book is the story of four women who were charmed and some would say in love with Boysie Singh. The book is told from the perspective of four women who some would say fell in love with Boysie Singh and how their love for him impacted their lives and the life of those around them. We meet:
Popo is a known prostitute who is trying to change her ways. Boysie Singh is one of her clients, and after an unfortunate situation he invites her to come and live with him. She helps him starts and manage his business with the hopes of changing both their lives for the better. What happens when she “oversteps” her boundaries?
Mana Lana is Boysie Singh’s baby mother, she is deeply devoted to Boysie and their son, she wishes a steady family life for them but Boysie refuses to choose her. She sticks around with the hopes of one day being the woman Boysie chooses.
Doris, born and grew up in Toco but knows she isn’t meant for such a “small space”. She makes her way to Port-Of-Spain where she meets Boysie Singh. He woos her relentlessly but she is a woman who knows what she wants and once Boysie decides to marry her, she unleashes her plan to help them climb Port Of Spain social ladder.
Rosie is a storeowner who is being made to pay a “rent” to Boysie and his men. She just wants to run her store and not have anything to do with Boysie, as fate would have it, she gets caught in the crossfire.
These four women were impacted by one man, a gangster, murderer and con artist- who will survive? Who will be forever changed and how do they move pass their relationship with the infamous Boysie Singh.
This book is specatular. It is clear that Ingrid Persaud did her search into the history and culture of Trinidad and Tobago during that period. She writes the Trini dialect with amazing precision and brings each character to life their they specific tone and voice. I think that is the think I love most about Persaud’s writing, her ability to capture characters who are believable while still be flawed. Yes, I didn’t love Boysie Singh, but I found myself wanting to see him win, even though, historically I know how story ends.
The women in the book are layered, engaging, and keep you invested. Through the writing, you understand who they “fell” for a man like Boysie and you journey with them as they come to their senses.
I cannot begin to recommend this book enough. How Ingrid writes about the food, the culture and tells this very known story in a unique way… its time that everyone reads this book!
Ingrid Persaud knows how to write Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, history and lifestyle in the most nuanced way and she shows us this, first with Love After Love and now with The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh . This is an un-put-downable read filled with characters you will scream at, cheer for and won’t ever forget.
If you don’t know, Boysie Singh was a notorious Trinidadian killer who was eventually hanged for murder in the mid-1950s. He was charged three times for murder and on the third time he was convicted and hung. The historical fiction book is the story of four women who were charmed and some would say in love with Boysie Singh. The book is told from the perspective of four women who some would say fell in love with Boysie Singh and how their love for him impacted their lives and the life of those around them. We meet:
Popo is a known prostitute who is trying to change her ways. Boysie Singh is one of her clients, and after an unfortunate situation he invites her to come and live with him. She helps him starts and manage his business with the hopes of changing both their lives for the better. What happens when she “oversteps” her boundaries?
Mana Lana is Boysie Singh’s baby mother, she is deeply devoted to Boysie and their son, she wishes a steady family life for them but Boysie refuses to choose her. She sticks around with the hopes of one day being the woman Boysie chooses.
Doris, born and grew up in Toco but knows she isn’t meant for such a “small space”. She makes her way to Port-Of-Spain where she meets Boysie Singh. He woos her relentlessly but she is a woman who knows what she wants and once Boysie decides to marry her, she unleashes her plan to help them climb Port Of Spain social ladder.
Rosie is a storeowner who is being made to pay a “rent” to Boysie and his men. She just wants to run her store and not have anything to do with Boysie, as fate would have it, she gets caught in the crossfire.
These four women were impacted by one man, a gangster, murderer and con artist- who will survive? Who will be forever changed and how do they move pass their relationship with the infamous Boysie Singh.
This book is specatular. It is clear that Ingrid Persaud did her search into the history and culture of Trinidad and Tobago during that period. She writes the Trini dialect with amazing precision and brings each character to life their they specific tone and voice. I think that is the think I love most about Persaud’s writing, her ability to capture characters who are believable while still be flawed. Yes, I didn’t love Boysie Singh, but I found myself wanting to see him win, even though, historically I know how story ends.
The women in the book are layered, engaging, and keep you invested. Through the writing, you understand who they “fell” for a man like Boysie and you journey with them as they come to their senses.
I cannot begin to recommend this book enough. How Ingrid writes about the food, the culture and tells this very known story in a unique way… its time that everyone reads this book!
unfinished
July 22, 2024I thought Persaud’s debut novel, Love after Love, was fantastic, but I was right to be daunted by the length of this follow-up. The strategy is similar to that in Mrs. Hemingway by Naomi Wood: giving sideways looks at a famous man through the women he collected around him. John Boysie Singh was a real-life Trinidadian gangster who was hanged for his crimes in 1957 (as the article reprinted on the first page reveals). The major problem here is that all four of the dialect voices sound much the same, so I couldn’t tell them apart. Each time I opened the book, I had to look back at the blurb to be reminded that Popo was his prostitute mistress while Mana Lala was the mother of his son Chunksee. In the 103 pages I read (less than one-fifth of the total), there were so few chapters by Doris and Rosie that I never got a handle on who they were. Nor did I come to understand, or care about, Boysie. The editor needed to make drastic changes to this to ensure widespread readability. (Signed copy won in a Faber Instagram giveaway)
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
April 25, 2024
I've been invited to read The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh and that made me really happy. Until I've started reading it, that is lol! This second novel of Persaud is so different from Love After Love that at first I really didn't know what to make of it. For a while I've been afraid it was going to be a DNF, but the lost love songs of Boysie turned into a siren song, luckily with a happy ending for me :D. The language can be a barrier. I've struggled with it while reading Love After Love, but I've found it even ticker here and I must admit that in the beginning it was one of the reasons I couldn't get into the story. But of course, one would not want to read a Trinidadian author without having an authentic experience. And it does get easy, have patience and you'll be rewarded!
And when I say you'll get an authentic experience, I truly mean that. You will be rewarded with a flavoursome picture of Trinidad in the '50s: it's constant heat; ethnic fractions, culture, traditions, superstitions; but also corruption and crime and at the top its famous criminal: the Rajah.
Boysie comes alive through the stories told about him by his women. And let me tell you that there's nothing good about this man. What a sleazy peace of work The Rajah was! My goodness! From his deceiving ways, to his violent tendencies to becoming a ruthless criminal - there really was nothing that would have redeemed him! I felt that each women added to what made Boysie Boysie; but Popo was truly the architect of making him someone. Without her in the picture he went downhill, being harder and harder to keep himself in check and his business successful! Needless to say that she was my favourite character and her faith really pained me! Rosie was another interesting woman: strong headed and unafraid to seek revenge but I cannot say she really touched me... Doris: a perfect example of a gold digger: very determined and willing to go to great lengths to achieve her goals, but not much else. And then we come to Mana Lala - what can I say: I really despised her weaknesses. At lease she's learned her lesson and lived with the guilt of precipitating Popo's faith!
I also loved that this is based on a real person and I would love to know more about this historical women. A project for the future!
*Book from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher for offering me the opportunity to read this!
And when I say you'll get an authentic experience, I truly mean that. You will be rewarded with a flavoursome picture of Trinidad in the '50s: it's constant heat; ethnic fractions, culture, traditions, superstitions; but also corruption and crime and at the top its famous criminal: the Rajah.
Boysie comes alive through the stories told about him by his women. And let me tell you that there's nothing good about this man. What a sleazy peace of work The Rajah was! My goodness! From his deceiving ways, to his violent tendencies to becoming a ruthless criminal - there really was nothing that would have redeemed him! I felt that each women added to what made Boysie Boysie; but Popo was truly the architect of making him someone. Without her in the picture he went downhill, being harder and harder to keep himself in check and his business successful! Needless to say that she was my favourite character and her faith really pained me! Rosie was another interesting woman: strong headed and unafraid to seek revenge but I cannot say she really touched me... Doris: a perfect example of a gold digger: very determined and willing to go to great lengths to achieve her goals, but not much else. And then we come to Mana Lala - what can I say: I really despised her weaknesses. At lease she's learned her lesson and lived with the guilt of precipitating Popo's faith!
I also loved that this is based on a real person and I would love to know more about this historical women. A project for the future!
*Book from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher for offering me the opportunity to read this!
June 17, 2024
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
I like everything about this book.
In this book we meet the notorious Trinidadian crime boss of the 1950s Boysie Singh. Boysie is a criminal in the truest sense of the word his crimes were everything from murder, smuggling and gambling. In the book, his life story was told in a very unique and creative way through four women (Popo, Mana Lala, Doris and Rosie) who were connected to Boysie in a way that was different to most people which was their love for him.
Boysie was bad and all four women were willing to do anything for his love at some point. Popo's story was the most sad of all I think. She genuinely loved Boysie and realized too late that the feeling was not mutual. Popo represents many women even today in relationships who support men who just take them for granted. At least though Popo was willing to do something about it unlike his child mother Mana Lala.
When I say each woman represents women in general is no lie. Cause Mana Lala loved Boysie more than life itself that she just sat her whole life waiting for him to love her back. This character frustrated me the most I think cause Boysie did not care one bit for this woman and there she was always waiting...
Doris was the wife who I also thought something was wrong with. She could have had a good life but fell for the glamourous part of Boysie. The club owner who had the nice suits and big money. He used her "Redness" to fit in to high society.
Them there was Rosie. Rosie's connection to Boysie went way back before these other women. She became reconnected with him when he began taking rent for her shop and when she wanted answers for the death of her lover Etty. The end of this will have you shook.
Boysie Singh was an interesting character. Although he was a criminal, he also had a human side too. He loved his son Chunksee a lot and although throughout the book he was a crook at his best, it was also good at times to see he was human too.
I love books by Trinidadian authors that use the language of the people, this is what made this book even more special for me. Love After Love was also a great book.
I am anticipating the next book by Ms. Persaud.
I like everything about this book.
In this book we meet the notorious Trinidadian crime boss of the 1950s Boysie Singh. Boysie is a criminal in the truest sense of the word his crimes were everything from murder, smuggling and gambling. In the book, his life story was told in a very unique and creative way through four women (Popo, Mana Lala, Doris and Rosie) who were connected to Boysie in a way that was different to most people which was their love for him.
Boysie was bad and all four women were willing to do anything for his love at some point. Popo's story was the most sad of all I think. She genuinely loved Boysie and realized too late that the feeling was not mutual. Popo represents many women even today in relationships who support men who just take them for granted. At least though Popo was willing to do something about it unlike his child mother Mana Lala.
When I say each woman represents women in general is no lie. Cause Mana Lala loved Boysie more than life itself that she just sat her whole life waiting for him to love her back. This character frustrated me the most I think cause Boysie did not care one bit for this woman and there she was always waiting...
Doris was the wife who I also thought something was wrong with. She could have had a good life but fell for the glamourous part of Boysie. The club owner who had the nice suits and big money. He used her "Redness" to fit in to high society.
Them there was Rosie. Rosie's connection to Boysie went way back before these other women. She became reconnected with him when he began taking rent for her shop and when she wanted answers for the death of her lover Etty. The end of this will have you shook.
Boysie Singh was an interesting character. Although he was a criminal, he also had a human side too. He loved his son Chunksee a lot and although throughout the book he was a crook at his best, it was also good at times to see he was human too.
I love books by Trinidadian authors that use the language of the people, this is what made this book even more special for me. Love After Love was also a great book.
I am anticipating the next book by Ms. Persaud.
March 3, 2024
3.75
This is a fictional story inspired by the true life of Boysie Singh. Boysiecaused terror in Trinidad during the 1940s/1950s and was a big time criminal and gangster. He loved his women and the story is told from the viewpoint of his 4 lovers:
🙍🏾♀️Mana Lala - She will do anything to be the last one standing with Boysie and his son.
🙍🏿♀️Popo - A prostitute who is very smart, until she isn’t!
🙍🏽♀️Doris - Known as the red light skin Catholic woman who Boysie literally chases down.
🙍🏾♀️Rosie - she has known Boysie from childhood and is involved in Boysie’s businesses.
Of all the women, I was most interested in Mana Lala’s chapters, she was obsessed with Boysie and carries out some questionable acts. I was intrigued by both hers and Boysie’s mental health throughout, I know love can make you so crazy things but… 🤦🏾♀️
I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and the portrayal of women chasing a man who is no good for them was worrying. Boysie had a hold on these women. The story did send me down the Google rabbit hole, researching Boysie’s life. He did not treat women well and his crimes were horrendous.
Religion and spirituality is a heavy theme. I learnt a lot about Hinduism and the spiritual methods some would seek to control their lives. At first, I did struggle with the writing. The whole story is written in a Trini dialect - well done to the author for keeping this story authentic 👏🏾. I had to research meanings of words, but once I knew what they meant, it became easier to read.
Apart from there being no ‘’quotation marks’’ on the dialogue (I hate this in books!), the first half being stronger than the second half and the story being rather too long, I enjoyed reading.
This is a fictional story inspired by the true life of Boysie Singh. Boysiecaused terror in Trinidad during the 1940s/1950s and was a big time criminal and gangster. He loved his women and the story is told from the viewpoint of his 4 lovers:
🙍🏾♀️Mana Lala - She will do anything to be the last one standing with Boysie and his son.
🙍🏿♀️Popo - A prostitute who is very smart, until she isn’t!
🙍🏽♀️Doris - Known as the red light skin Catholic woman who Boysie literally chases down.
🙍🏾♀️Rosie - she has known Boysie from childhood and is involved in Boysie’s businesses.
Of all the women, I was most interested in Mana Lala’s chapters, she was obsessed with Boysie and carries out some questionable acts. I was intrigued by both hers and Boysie’s mental health throughout, I know love can make you so crazy things but… 🤦🏾♀️
I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and the portrayal of women chasing a man who is no good for them was worrying. Boysie had a hold on these women. The story did send me down the Google rabbit hole, researching Boysie’s life. He did not treat women well and his crimes were horrendous.
Religion and spirituality is a heavy theme. I learnt a lot about Hinduism and the spiritual methods some would seek to control their lives. At first, I did struggle with the writing. The whole story is written in a Trini dialect - well done to the author for keeping this story authentic 👏🏾. I had to research meanings of words, but once I knew what they meant, it became easier to read.
Apart from there being no ‘’quotation marks’’ on the dialogue (I hate this in books!), the first half being stronger than the second half and the story being rather too long, I enjoyed reading.
February 26, 2024
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh is a story of survival by several women who find themselves in a relationship with a gangster and his brutal hands. Is it love or a matter of ensuring the need for protection in a society that deem women are only good for sex, birthing babies, and keeping house.
I realize that reading Caribbean literature can oftentimes be very traumatic, but I love the stories and can relate to the many themes through family and/or family friends and their experiences. Life can be hard...
These women all sing the same song-they want love and respect. Boysie Singh doesn't know how to give either.
At times, this story was tough to read because you felt for the women, and sometimes you had sympathy for Boysie as well. I enjoyed the language, but I feel that the book will need a glossary for a lot of phrases that readers who read, not Trinidadian, will need to understand. I feel that th audiobook will definitely bring this story to the next level (cue Bahni Turpin).
I didn't realize that this book is based on a true character, consider a ruthless pirate.
I realize that reading Caribbean literature can oftentimes be very traumatic, but I love the stories and can relate to the many themes through family and/or family friends and their experiences. Life can be hard...
These women all sing the same song-they want love and respect. Boysie Singh doesn't know how to give either.
At times, this story was tough to read because you felt for the women, and sometimes you had sympathy for Boysie as well. I enjoyed the language, but I feel that the book will need a glossary for a lot of phrases that readers who read, not Trinidadian, will need to understand. I feel that th audiobook will definitely bring this story to the next level (cue Bahni Turpin).
I didn't realize that this book is based on a true character, consider a ruthless pirate.
August 26, 2025
4.65! Omg, I’m so glad I waited months for the audiobook to be available. It was worth every second to hear the narration in the Trini creole of the time! Glad I unintentionally time to listen to this in one day - what a masterpiece! This is what sublime brilliance looks like! I’m just going to rant below about how great this is and in the future, I can may be come back and edit lol
First, the narrators gave so much meaning to the characters and added a dose of historical authenticity that enhanced my reading experience. Off course, I had to find the ebook in the beginning to look up what they were saying lol but after about an hour or so of listening, my brain had adjusted and it was smooth sailing from then on with a few references to the ebook every now and then. I liked that she kept the vocabulary as is - you can infer meanings in general from the context even if you don’t exactly understand it.
Now, although Boysie has no narrative voice in the book, he really looms large and you are able to construct his entire life from the narrative. One thing about retellings of great historical badjohns, if you like, is that there’s often a tendency to “make them cool” while describing their immensity. This didn’t do that! I like that from the very beginning, we saw how horrible Boysie was and how much he wielded his power over these women and others in his life. Other than being a good dad - which is such a specific humanizing trait that’s so apt - no one at any point can fall in love with him. There’s a certain narrative brilliance that Persaud has managed that allows you to always see Boysie clearly Alden when our narrators are “in love” with him. It’s such a beautiful peculiar feature to be able to stay true to our narrators’ feelings and see how they feel without being influenced by them completely. I’ll stop ranting and just note that I love the way this is written - the palpable fear of violence against these women could be felt on page even when they themselves sometimes didn’t see it. Like we are not told some things but Boysie’s violence, depravity, and small mindedness were palpable in every second of this book without the author explicitly telling us so. Okay, actual end of rant. Conclusion: love love Persaud’s writing
The use of the four women as the main carriers of the story may be part of the reason for this tangibility but overall, I loved that the story gave memorialising power to the women and the agency remained with them through the novel, even when Boysie’s larger than life character threatened to spill over. I loved that we were able to see the women and see them truly for all their wants, needs, and desires in a time that limited their freedoms both socially, economically and psychologically.
Let’s be real, Popo was my absolute favourite and I felt that the book’s quality deteriorated slightly without her. She just brought gravitas to everything - Boysie included. Boysie’s beginning of the end can really be traced to Popo. It was absolutely heart wrenching to see how society limited her kind brilliance and closed off all opportunities just because she was born a woman and poor.
Now, Mana Lala vexed me so much. While I can see how she was also a victim of circumstance trying best to navigate her situation in the best way that she knew, I just disliked her way of thinking and living life. Even though she got some growth and I should be kind to her, part of me lowkey thinks that she didn’t get enough karma for her innocent wickedness. Even so, it was so sad to see how much agency and hope she had to claw for herself even when it seemed she was destined to be defeated by the vicissitudes of life. Glad that Chunksee survived because that crying wolf saga was stressing me!
I took a while to warm up to Doris but I think that if she lived in a better time with better freedoms, she would be absolutely brilliant and wouldn’t be reduced to “gold-digging” as a means of prospering. She wanted more for herself in the world and used the means that she was familiar with in the domestic spaces she encountered. It is interesting to compare her thoughts to Popo, who through prostitution, had existed in the “public” arena that was available to men and this got to develop dreams and use methods akin to those of men. Doris, on the other hand, was only exposed to the “private” sphere and was protected within those confines of domesticity that shaped her character, dreams and methods
Rosie, another woman shaped by exposure to the “public”arena, did not grow on me and remained aloof to me through out. I fully understand her inclusion for historicity and plot progression but she just felt a step removed compared to the others. Despite having one of the most interesting lives, it felt that we weren’t able to really become one with her as with the other three and her emotional forays felt a little narrow and repetitive. Liked that she was proud of her bisexuality and didn’t hesitate to use her snakeness, power and atypicality. She was cool and I see how we needed her public space to get to know Boysie’s shenanigans as the plot progressed but I wish she was more developed as the others. She had so much potential to be my new fave but alas.
One person whom I wished we could hear more from was Chunksee, especially after he grew up but I totally understand that he’s just incidental to the story of these women on whom all the power in this novel lies. Well well, for Boysie - we really learned about him and I’m impressed by how Persaud managed to stand on business and give a full account of Boysie’s life within this structure. I could see how she reeled herself in to stay on Boysie even when our narrators lives sometimes deviated away from him. It is no mean feat to give an account of his life and stay true to the women’s narrative power.
Glad to bask in her brilliance and excited for her next book!
First, the narrators gave so much meaning to the characters and added a dose of historical authenticity that enhanced my reading experience. Off course, I had to find the ebook in the beginning to look up what they were saying lol but after about an hour or so of listening, my brain had adjusted and it was smooth sailing from then on with a few references to the ebook every now and then. I liked that she kept the vocabulary as is - you can infer meanings in general from the context even if you don’t exactly understand it.
Now, although Boysie has no narrative voice in the book, he really looms large and you are able to construct his entire life from the narrative. One thing about retellings of great historical badjohns, if you like, is that there’s often a tendency to “make them cool” while describing their immensity. This didn’t do that! I like that from the very beginning, we saw how horrible Boysie was and how much he wielded his power over these women and others in his life. Other than being a good dad - which is such a specific humanizing trait that’s so apt - no one at any point can fall in love with him. There’s a certain narrative brilliance that Persaud has managed that allows you to always see Boysie clearly Alden when our narrators are “in love” with him. It’s such a beautiful peculiar feature to be able to stay true to our narrators’ feelings and see how they feel without being influenced by them completely. I’ll stop ranting and just note that I love the way this is written - the palpable fear of violence against these women could be felt on page even when they themselves sometimes didn’t see it. Like we are not told some things but Boysie’s violence, depravity, and small mindedness were palpable in every second of this book without the author explicitly telling us so. Okay, actual end of rant. Conclusion: love love Persaud’s writing
The use of the four women as the main carriers of the story may be part of the reason for this tangibility but overall, I loved that the story gave memorialising power to the women and the agency remained with them through the novel, even when Boysie’s larger than life character threatened to spill over. I loved that we were able to see the women and see them truly for all their wants, needs, and desires in a time that limited their freedoms both socially, economically and psychologically.
Let’s be real, Popo was my absolute favourite and I felt that the book’s quality deteriorated slightly without her. She just brought gravitas to everything - Boysie included. Boysie’s beginning of the end can really be traced to Popo. It was absolutely heart wrenching to see how society limited her kind brilliance and closed off all opportunities just because she was born a woman and poor.
Now, Mana Lala vexed me so much. While I can see how she was also a victim of circumstance trying best to navigate her situation in the best way that she knew, I just disliked her way of thinking and living life. Even though she got some growth and I should be kind to her, part of me lowkey thinks that she didn’t get enough karma for her innocent wickedness. Even so, it was so sad to see how much agency and hope she had to claw for herself even when it seemed she was destined to be defeated by the vicissitudes of life. Glad that Chunksee survived because that crying wolf saga was stressing me!
I took a while to warm up to Doris but I think that if she lived in a better time with better freedoms, she would be absolutely brilliant and wouldn’t be reduced to “gold-digging” as a means of prospering. She wanted more for herself in the world and used the means that she was familiar with in the domestic spaces she encountered. It is interesting to compare her thoughts to Popo, who through prostitution, had existed in the “public” arena that was available to men and this got to develop dreams and use methods akin to those of men. Doris, on the other hand, was only exposed to the “private” sphere and was protected within those confines of domesticity that shaped her character, dreams and methods
Rosie, another woman shaped by exposure to the “public”arena, did not grow on me and remained aloof to me through out. I fully understand her inclusion for historicity and plot progression but she just felt a step removed compared to the others. Despite having one of the most interesting lives, it felt that we weren’t able to really become one with her as with the other three and her emotional forays felt a little narrow and repetitive. Liked that she was proud of her bisexuality and didn’t hesitate to use her snakeness, power and atypicality. She was cool and I see how we needed her public space to get to know Boysie’s shenanigans as the plot progressed but I wish she was more developed as the others. She had so much potential to be my new fave but alas.
One person whom I wished we could hear more from was Chunksee, especially after he grew up but I totally understand that he’s just incidental to the story of these women on whom all the power in this novel lies. Well well, for Boysie - we really learned about him and I’m impressed by how Persaud managed to stand on business and give a full account of Boysie’s life within this structure. I could see how she reeled herself in to stay on Boysie even when our narrators lives sometimes deviated away from him. It is no mean feat to give an account of his life and stay true to the women’s narrative power.
Glad to bask in her brilliance and excited for her next book!
September 3, 2024
Interesting book. I enjoyed the language and the story line as such it was. There’s a quality about the story I thought that the acknowledgements confirmed. I’ll provide no spoilers here. I appreciated the historical nature of the book, but I come away without a strong sense of the social and political context.
June 24, 2024
While this book is a chunk, indicative by the page count, it's a very quick read, maybe due to the short chapters, or the manner of storytelling, or the going ons that are so real yet seemingly funny and enjoyable to consume.
What I, and other readers, may need to remember is that as much as we may be intrigued by who Boysie Singh really was, this story isn't primarily about him, but rather that of these women and all they had to endure during that time period. Don't mistake, though, because Boysie is very much a key player in these women's lives, and we do gain insight into who he is as a father, businessman, husband and friend.
I applaud Ms. Persaud for incorporating the factual yet unconfirmed reports that we do know about Boysie (I did my research which I intend to share soon also.), while still weaving her magical pen and creating fictional tales to compliment them. ✨️
The author gained her information through familial contacts and scholarly persons, such as Professor Kenneth Ramchand, who studied Boysie. The story makes one question what was true versus untruth even given what we know of Boysie in this day and age. This is something I hope to explore also.
Personally, Mana Lala's character was my most favored, probably due to her depth and complexity versus the other women. 😍
What I, and other readers, may need to remember is that as much as we may be intrigued by who Boysie Singh really was, this story isn't primarily about him, but rather that of these women and all they had to endure during that time period. Don't mistake, though, because Boysie is very much a key player in these women's lives, and we do gain insight into who he is as a father, businessman, husband and friend.
I applaud Ms. Persaud for incorporating the factual yet unconfirmed reports that we do know about Boysie (I did my research which I intend to share soon also.), while still weaving her magical pen and creating fictional tales to compliment them. ✨️
The author gained her information through familial contacts and scholarly persons, such as Professor Kenneth Ramchand, who studied Boysie. The story makes one question what was true versus untruth even given what we know of Boysie in this day and age. This is something I hope to explore also.
Personally, Mana Lala's character was my most favored, probably due to her depth and complexity versus the other women. 😍
September 26, 2024
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh
Ingrid Persaud
Wow! What a book!
Told from the perspective of four very different women who are lovers of Boysie Singh, a gangster, gambler, pirate and murderer. It was great getting into the heads of these women and seeing how even villains have people that love them dearly.
There are so many things I love about this book:
* The rich Trinidadian culture
* Indian Caribbean, food, culture and Bhojpuri language
* The fact that it’s based on a real person
* The pace was so fast and there was so much humour and wit in it
* Infusion of Indian mythology retelling
* Exploration of the influence of religion especially Hinduism and Catholicism
There is so much about other people and cultures we don’t know. I know how books educate us while entertaining us.
Ingrid Persaud
Wow! What a book!
Told from the perspective of four very different women who are lovers of Boysie Singh, a gangster, gambler, pirate and murderer. It was great getting into the heads of these women and seeing how even villains have people that love them dearly.
There are so many things I love about this book:
* The rich Trinidadian culture
* Indian Caribbean, food, culture and Bhojpuri language
* The fact that it’s based on a real person
* The pace was so fast and there was so much humour and wit in it
* Infusion of Indian mythology retelling
* Exploration of the influence of religion especially Hinduism and Catholicism
There is so much about other people and cultures we don’t know. I know how books educate us while entertaining us.
July 5, 2025
4.5!! loved it!! Being a trini myself the dialect was an easy read and I also loved that it was kept in the book adding to its authenticity. The conversations were done without quotes, a writing style I loved in this book
The lives of these 4 women intertwined with each other and around 1 badjohn man was well written and held my attention from start to end
This is my 2nd book by this author and recommend both to readers to get a good description of trinidad, the locations, culture,food, religion and most importantly its variety of people!
The lives of these 4 women intertwined with each other and around 1 badjohn man was well written and held my attention from start to end
This is my 2nd book by this author and recommend both to readers to get a good description of trinidad, the locations, culture,food, religion and most importantly its variety of people!
August 29, 2025
She wouldn't be the first to think that if you love a man plenty plenty he'd changed to how you want. Waste of time. The only body you can change is you, and even that is pressure.
Spiced with a distinct Caribbean flavor that sizzles and delights the senses like a fragrant cook-up on the stove. The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh is an intricate play, portraying the vibrancy and diversity of Trinidadian life, led by a compelling cast of characters that you will love as much as you hate, though maybe the scales often tip more toward the latter. The book is sculpted in a unique storytelling style, formatted like a play or a poem, that makes it flow smoothly as butter and as sweet as sugar. Five hundred+ pages, and I finished it in only two days, pulled forward by the plot, the pace, and the writing style, easy to devour and comprehend.
The brightness of this book was such that I could see it all unfolding before me, like actors moving around atop a stage. The dialogue, the descriptions, and the characters all joined hands to make this a complex movie of madness and murder, carried by the tumultuous lives of four distinct women, all entangled around Boysie Singh. I liked all of the women (some more than others); their depictions feel real and riveting, and none was like the other. Each had their own unique melody, which made them memorable and easy to follow along, while still managing not to stick them into boxes representing the roles they had in Boysie's life. Lala Mana was Boysie's child's mother, but she was more than that and Doris was his wife but she was more than that. No oversimplification here.
Their complexity is explored with a caring hand, as we delve into their psyche and the actions they take, because all of them will have you scratching your head at least once, dumbfounded by some of the things they do and say. They do feel more real that way, multifaceted and flawed rather than perfect pillars of society. None of them is as simple as she may seem. They're human. None of them was always likable, but you knew why they did what they were doing, you understood it even if you wanted to scream at them, and that is what makes a brilliant character. I loved the way all of their stories intersected, and their interactions with each other felt both fresh and absurd. Between all the breath-catching tension and the behind-your-back scheming, some humorous hijinks caught me way off guard. Sometimes you just have to laugh.
Life not easy, especially if you try to do the right thing.
Boysie himself was a real page-turner, a completely ridiculous character who will have you gawking at the words in disbelief and then, in one swoop, turn the dial of tension all the way up. Seeing him through the eyes of different women painted a powerful portrait of his complicated nature, but also of how much he sucked. What a genuine loser, tottering between wanting to belong and not wanting to put in the effort to belong. He'll drive you mad and make you want to throttle him through the pages. He's a keen deconstruction of the gangster stereotype, a big baby with smoothed down edges and hardly any sense at all, made by the women who are dismissed and go unseen.
Unfortunately, I think this was a little too long and that alone might be the sole reason I much prefer Love After Love. It's the only perceivable flaw. It never fully drags its feet, but it's a long limp toward the finish line. It struggles to be as interesting the further on we go, and sadly and most of my interest slowly began to peter out. When we reached the last 50 pages, it was half of what it had been in the first half. I was still incredibly invested and wanted to reach the ending of this tale, but it wasn't as bright a fire as it might have been. The story suffers from length, and I genuinely feel like some of this could have been whittled down, and it would have worked just as well, if not better. After a while, it just became repetitive, like the love songs were stuck on a loop.
This is the song of one man and the many women who loved and knew him, just as lyrical and moving as only the best songs are, unforgettable earworms that you randomly call to mind and stay with you forever. The authenticity of Trinidad is not compromised; characters speak in dialect and use non-English words that go unexplained. Race relations, colorism, and abuse are held up to the sunlight for the reader to examine. It's immersive and engrossing, with a quiet dark humor that may go unnoticed and a threat of danger that makes your jaw clench right down.
Overall, reading this was a fresh experience, a glimpse over yonder at the island of old, where in a slowly changing and modernizing world, one man seeks to change alongside it. A raw and unflinching portrayal of how power corrupts, the destruction of crime and violence, womanhood in a male-dominant society, and the self-sacrificing nature of love. Sure to be a Caribbean classic.
December 23, 2024
Boy oh boy, I’ve finally delved into this book. 😂 Considering that I usually just read thin books for my daily reading, this is a major accomplishment. The drama, hehe 🤣
“The Lost Love Songs of a Boysie Singh” is based on a true historical figure also referred as John Boysie Singh. He was well known in Trinidad and Tobago. 🇹🇹 He had a long and successful career as gangster and gambler before turning to piracy and murder. Four women’s perspectives were used to tell this tale. Boysie Singh is in charge of four lives that are connected.
Rosie, who only wants to keep her sweetheart Etty at bay, is one of them. The tough-minded Doris is working to elevate her life and Boysie’s standing while interacting with others in hopes of gaining a position in society. The child of Boysie Singh was born to Mana Lala, a loving mother. Additionally, Popo is impulsive and incredibly susceptible when it comes to dealing with Boysie Singh.
Boysie Singh is an enormous red flag in the flesh. In addition to being disloyal, he is a mobster, killer, cheater, and a pirate. Although the story is intriguing, keep in mind that it is written in a Caribbean manner, which can be intimidating at first, but you ultimately understand the main idea. His story, business, and sequence of events are told from the perspectives of all four women. There is a lot going on here, including murder, infidelity, theft, opening a second pub, going to jail, going to court, the love and hate relationships with the four women, Boysie Singh’s downfall, and finally his end—which isn’t a spoiler because you get to read the first page anyway.
Despite the red flag behaviours, this book demonstrates how the Creole and Indian communities live in harmony despite their differences in culture and religion. Additionally, the original inhabitants of the Caribbean harbour resentment towards the colonizer which makes this an interesting melting pots of culture.
Although I have mixed feelings about the novel and find most of the characters to be unlovable—I even detested them—I think the plot and the sequence of events are an enjoyable emotional roller coaster. Thank you @putrifariza @times.reads for the book. 🇹🇹
“The Lost Love Songs of a Boysie Singh” is based on a true historical figure also referred as John Boysie Singh. He was well known in Trinidad and Tobago. 🇹🇹 He had a long and successful career as gangster and gambler before turning to piracy and murder. Four women’s perspectives were used to tell this tale. Boysie Singh is in charge of four lives that are connected.
Rosie, who only wants to keep her sweetheart Etty at bay, is one of them. The tough-minded Doris is working to elevate her life and Boysie’s standing while interacting with others in hopes of gaining a position in society. The child of Boysie Singh was born to Mana Lala, a loving mother. Additionally, Popo is impulsive and incredibly susceptible when it comes to dealing with Boysie Singh.
Boysie Singh is an enormous red flag in the flesh. In addition to being disloyal, he is a mobster, killer, cheater, and a pirate. Although the story is intriguing, keep in mind that it is written in a Caribbean manner, which can be intimidating at first, but you ultimately understand the main idea. His story, business, and sequence of events are told from the perspectives of all four women. There is a lot going on here, including murder, infidelity, theft, opening a second pub, going to jail, going to court, the love and hate relationships with the four women, Boysie Singh’s downfall, and finally his end—which isn’t a spoiler because you get to read the first page anyway.
Despite the red flag behaviours, this book demonstrates how the Creole and Indian communities live in harmony despite their differences in culture and religion. Additionally, the original inhabitants of the Caribbean harbour resentment towards the colonizer which makes this an interesting melting pots of culture.
Although I have mixed feelings about the novel and find most of the characters to be unlovable—I even detested them—I think the plot and the sequence of events are an enjoyable emotional roller coaster. Thank you @putrifariza @times.reads for the book. 🇹🇹
July 13, 2025
3.5✨
I hadn’t heard of Boysie Singh before reading this, but Ingrid Persaud spun one hell of a story out of history, taking me right into the heart of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago with the language, lifestyle, culture, people and religion.
She also did a great job capturing the complexities of a character as unlikeable as Boysie. I was more fascinated by the idea that people were in awe of this gangster, in real life than I was of his accomplishments. But I particularly thought it was interesting that the author chose to tell Boysie’s story through the eyes of these four women who were entangled romantically with his character. It showed just how cunning his personality was that each of them thought they had him figured out until they realized they didn’t.
I’m not sure if it was on account of the volume of research the author must have had to comb through while writing this, but it seemed like the pacing was uneven in some parts and the last quarter felt rushed. Other than that , I was entertained by this.
I hadn’t heard of Boysie Singh before reading this, but Ingrid Persaud spun one hell of a story out of history, taking me right into the heart of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago with the language, lifestyle, culture, people and religion.
She also did a great job capturing the complexities of a character as unlikeable as Boysie. I was more fascinated by the idea that people were in awe of this gangster, in real life than I was of his accomplishments. But I particularly thought it was interesting that the author chose to tell Boysie’s story through the eyes of these four women who were entangled romantically with his character. It showed just how cunning his personality was that each of them thought they had him figured out until they realized they didn’t.
I’m not sure if it was on account of the volume of research the author must have had to comb through while writing this, but it seemed like the pacing was uneven in some parts and the last quarter felt rushed. Other than that , I was entertained by this.
June 19, 2024
This story started out slow but ended up being fast paced and unputdownable. Definitely enjoyed the writing and was on the edge of my seat taking in the lives of these women.
It is also a tale of how one day you can have everything and be on top of the world and the next you can lose everything.
The only woman I felt for was Popo as she didn’t deserve her treatment. Mana Lala was the worst and I believe she was so naive. I am also convince that she had a mental illness. However, in the end she redeemed herself and finally saw who he really was.
I disliked Boysie and I couldn’t understand how these people allow him to cause so much havoc.
My only issue is the lack of a glossary. Due the Trinidad’s dialect usage , it will have been really nice to have a glossary because not everyone knows the meaning of the dialect. As a result, it kinda took away from the story as it was a challenge and frustrating to guess the intended meaning.
It is also a tale of how one day you can have everything and be on top of the world and the next you can lose everything.
The only woman I felt for was Popo as she didn’t deserve her treatment. Mana Lala was the worst and I believe she was so naive. I am also convince that she had a mental illness. However, in the end she redeemed herself and finally saw who he really was.
I disliked Boysie and I couldn’t understand how these people allow him to cause so much havoc.
My only issue is the lack of a glossary. Due the Trinidad’s dialect usage , it will have been really nice to have a glossary because not everyone knows the meaning of the dialect. As a result, it kinda took away from the story as it was a challenge and frustrating to guess the intended meaning.
January 13, 2025
Wow, what a ride. This is exactly how I felt reading this book. Ingrid Persaud did a fantastic job in bringing this story to life 👏🏾 🙌🏾. I thoroughly enjoyed this buddy read.
This was indeed an experience that took you to Trinidad, where you felt like you had a birds eye view of Boysie Singh's life. Up to now I can't tell you what if is about this man. The cultural prose, the short and engaging chapters, and the interesting characters (some of who loved to hate at times) led to a masterfully crafted book.
This was indeed an experience that took you to Trinidad, where you felt like you had a birds eye view of Boysie Singh's life. Up to now I can't tell you what if is about this man. The cultural prose, the short and engaging chapters, and the interesting characters (some of who loved to hate at times) led to a masterfully crafted book.
October 22, 2025
I'll admit I postponed reading this because when I started and noticed it was written in vernacular Trinidadian English, it discouraged me a bit as a non-native speaker... But when I picked it up again I found the story so engrossing that I got used to the language very quickly and really enjoyed this.
It's a very dark novel, centered around Boysie Singh, a criminal who runs a few brothels and clubs and a fishing company and various businesses around Port of Spain. The story is told by a chorus of women, his partner Popo, an early investor in the clubs, his son's mother Mana Lala who has a big, big blind spot and sees no wrong, Rosie, who works in one of his club and becomes suspicious, his wife Doris, a good Catholic desperate to be accepted by polite society... His treatment of people in general, women in particular, is chilling and the book should come with a few trigger warnings, but this was told so well and it was really immersive. I recommend it!
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
It's a very dark novel, centered around Boysie Singh, a criminal who runs a few brothels and clubs and a fishing company and various businesses around Port of Spain. The story is told by a chorus of women, his partner Popo, an early investor in the clubs, his son's mother Mana Lala who has a big, big blind spot and sees no wrong, Rosie, who works in one of his club and becomes suspicious, his wife Doris, a good Catholic desperate to be accepted by polite society... His treatment of people in general, women in particular, is chilling and the book should come with a few trigger warnings, but this was told so well and it was really immersive. I recommend it!
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
July 7, 2025
This was an experience to listen to. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I had tried to read the dialect.
The story itself was good, too. And things made more sense after I figured out it is historical fiction and not made up.
The story itself was good, too. And things made more sense after I figured out it is historical fiction and not made up.
July 4, 2025
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh may seem daunting in length at first, but as the story unfolds, it draws you in like the unfolding of a calypso. In that, the storytelling was layered, lyrical, and filled with meaning. Like a calypso, Persaud does well with capturing the Trinidadian language through each character. The novel addresses the complexities of race, gender, sexuality, and spirituality with a nuance that characterizes Trinbagonian society. Persaud's reimagining of a controversial real-life figure is both bold and impressive.
January 7, 2025
Ingrid's "The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh" is nothing short of a literary masterpiece that resonates deeply with me and other readers, particularly those with Caribbean roots. From the very first page, the author skillfully brings the characters to life, weaving a tapestry of emotions that range from heart-wrenching to thought-provoking. Some passages had me in tears, while others sparked passionate debates within my book club, highlighting the complexities of human nature and the darker sides of society.
As a reader who studied in Trinidad and Tobago, I found the dialect refreshing and nostalgic. Ingrid’s use of local lingo transported me back to my school days, evoking fond memories that I still cherish. Her ability to capture the essence of Caribbean culture through language is truly commendable.
Our virtual author session with Ingrid was the cherry on top of this enriching experience. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and insightful answers to our questions only deepened our appreciation for her work. It was a joy to connect with her and learn more about the inspirations behind her writing.
This was my first Caribbean read, and I couldn't be prouder to have immersed myself in such a powerful narrative. Ingrid has not only crafted a compelling story but has also given a stage to Caribbean authors, that deserves to be celebrated. "The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh" is superb in every sense, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to explore the depths of human emotion, and societal pressures to aspire to more at any cost, through the lens of Caribbean culture. Bravo, Ingrid!
As a reader who studied in Trinidad and Tobago, I found the dialect refreshing and nostalgic. Ingrid’s use of local lingo transported me back to my school days, evoking fond memories that I still cherish. Her ability to capture the essence of Caribbean culture through language is truly commendable.
Our virtual author session with Ingrid was the cherry on top of this enriching experience. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and insightful answers to our questions only deepened our appreciation for her work. It was a joy to connect with her and learn more about the inspirations behind her writing.
This was my first Caribbean read, and I couldn't be prouder to have immersed myself in such a powerful narrative. Ingrid has not only crafted a compelling story but has also given a stage to Caribbean authors, that deserves to be celebrated. "The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh" is superb in every sense, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to explore the depths of human emotion, and societal pressures to aspire to more at any cost, through the lens of Caribbean culture. Bravo, Ingrid!
August 8, 2024
Absolutely brilliant. A storming follow-up to her debuts novel, Love After Love. This book tells the story of real life criminal Boysie Singh from the perspective of four women. 500+ page books aren’t usually page-turners but this was. Persaud is lyrical, beautiful and devastating in her prose.
April 27, 2024
I need to know how much of the story came from the author's imagination! The story is spellbinding and breathtaking.
May 23, 2025
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD, B.W.I
FRIDAY , AUGUST 1957
THE END OF BOYSIE SINGH
by Gerrad Max Davidson
Staff Reporter
___________________________________
Boysie was always a thief man.
Boysie Singh a notorious Trinidadian killer who was eventually hanged for murder in the mid-1950s. He was charged three times, and executed.
A historical fiction . Follows the story of four women who were involved with him in different ways. Each woman reflects on how their connection with Boysie impacted their lives and the lives of those around them.
Doris
A strong-willed, sharp, and very aware of her worth as a woman. She’s confident, but not afraid to show vulnerability. She challenges Boysie and doesn’t just fall for his charm, yet she finds herself drawn to him.
Their relationship is probably the closest Boysie came to real love passionate, messy, and full of longing and betrayal. Dolly often reflects on what could’ve been. Her story carries a lot of emotional weight.
Popo
A former sex worker, escapes that life with her client Boysie Singh, hoping for a fresh start. She helps him build his business, thinking they can change their lives, but tragically, she’s killed by him.
She’s been through a lotused, judged, and hurtbut she endures. She’s tough and cynical, but there’s a tenderness deep down. Her character gives a voice to women society tends to overlook seen only for what they offer, not who they are.
Her relationship with Boysie was more practical than romantic she wasn’t fooled by him like some of the others. She saw him clearly and never bought into the fantasy. Popo’s perspective strips away Boysie’s “big-man” image and shows us who he really was.
I loved both Doris and Popo, but Popo especially stood out. I had hoped she would make it out of and away from that psychopath but life doesn’t always turn out the way we hope.
Mana Lala
Boysie’s baby mama , devoted to him and their son. She dreams of a proper family with him and ignores everyone’s warnings about who he really is.
She represents women who are stuck in the past, holding onto a love that shaped and broke them. She’s delusional, doesn’t realize her worth, and would literally die for him. Honestly, I found her frustrating. Their relationship was deeply emotional but all from her side. Boysie never really returned that love. She was obsessed, never able to let go, haunted by his lies and absence.
Rosie
an owner of a small shop and wants nothing to do with Boysie, but he and his men force her to pay “protection money.” She just wants to live her life in peace, but ends up caught in his mess.
What stood out for me here was learning that extortion and “protection fees” have been happening for ages it’s not just a South African thing. Rosie sees Boysie for exactly who he is no romance, no illusion. She’s practical and just trying to survive.
I enjoy books that use the language of the people it makes it feel more authentic and real. I found this book so relatable in many ways. I loved it to bits and pieces.
I’d actually love to read a version of the story told from Boysie Singh’s own perspective both the victim and the villain. Each of the women in this book represents a different kind of woman we see even in today’s world. It’s scary how much hasn’t changed.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
FRIDAY , AUGUST 1957
THE END OF BOYSIE SINGH
by Gerrad Max Davidson
Staff Reporter
___________________________________
Boysie was always a thief man.
Boysie Singh a notorious Trinidadian killer who was eventually hanged for murder in the mid-1950s. He was charged three times, and executed.
A historical fiction . Follows the story of four women who were involved with him in different ways. Each woman reflects on how their connection with Boysie impacted their lives and the lives of those around them.
Doris
A strong-willed, sharp, and very aware of her worth as a woman. She’s confident, but not afraid to show vulnerability. She challenges Boysie and doesn’t just fall for his charm, yet she finds herself drawn to him.
Their relationship is probably the closest Boysie came to real love passionate, messy, and full of longing and betrayal. Dolly often reflects on what could’ve been. Her story carries a lot of emotional weight.
Popo
A former sex worker, escapes that life with her client Boysie Singh, hoping for a fresh start. She helps him build his business, thinking they can change their lives, but tragically, she’s killed by him.
She’s been through a lotused, judged, and hurtbut she endures. She’s tough and cynical, but there’s a tenderness deep down. Her character gives a voice to women society tends to overlook seen only for what they offer, not who they are.
Her relationship with Boysie was more practical than romantic she wasn’t fooled by him like some of the others. She saw him clearly and never bought into the fantasy. Popo’s perspective strips away Boysie’s “big-man” image and shows us who he really was.
I loved both Doris and Popo, but Popo especially stood out. I had hoped she would make it out of and away from that psychopath but life doesn’t always turn out the way we hope.
Mana Lala
Boysie’s baby mama , devoted to him and their son. She dreams of a proper family with him and ignores everyone’s warnings about who he really is.
She represents women who are stuck in the past, holding onto a love that shaped and broke them. She’s delusional, doesn’t realize her worth, and would literally die for him. Honestly, I found her frustrating. Their relationship was deeply emotional but all from her side. Boysie never really returned that love. She was obsessed, never able to let go, haunted by his lies and absence.
Rosie
an owner of a small shop and wants nothing to do with Boysie, but he and his men force her to pay “protection money.” She just wants to live her life in peace, but ends up caught in his mess.
What stood out for me here was learning that extortion and “protection fees” have been happening for ages it’s not just a South African thing. Rosie sees Boysie for exactly who he is no romance, no illusion. She’s practical and just trying to survive.
I enjoy books that use the language of the people it makes it feel more authentic and real. I found this book so relatable in many ways. I loved it to bits and pieces.
I’d actually love to read a version of the story told from Boysie Singh’s own perspective both the victim and the villain. Each of the women in this book represents a different kind of woman we see even in today’s world. It’s scary how much hasn’t changed.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
September 24, 2024
Book Club book of the month.
You know that feeling when you finish a book or a movie and you absolutely want to dig for more information about the geographical location or the people? This is one of those. I did some little research to know more about the history of Trinidad and Tobago and discovered that after the African slaves were emancipated—which resulted in the shortage of labour—the British colonial masters shipped in Indians to the island as at 1845 to fill in the gaps. Trinidad and Tobago is 35% Indian and 34% African.
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh is a fictional account about real life historical figure, Boysie Singh, who was a known gangster, gambler, pirate, and so on, in the 40s and 50s terrorising the inhabitants of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Written in alternating points of view from four different women connected to Singh, they talk about how they feel about him, how he treats them, and about his exploits, either as they have been told or as they witness them. The four women are as follows:
- Popo, the ex-prostitute, who escapes with her client, Boysie Singh, and trying to put away with her former lifestyle goes on to live with Singh aiming for a better life. She helps him start his business(es) hoping to change both of their lives, but life's one funny motherf***er.
- Mana Lala, Boysie's baby mother and longtime sweetheart, is endlessly devoted to him and their son. She hopes to have a family life with Boysie and neglects everybody's opinion on Boysie, despite him treating her badly and following every Mary and Martha around.
- Doris, who comes from a poor background, believes she's destined to have the best things life has to offer. She meets Boysie who woos her, but she remains adamant—as a strong Catholic girl that she is—that he has to put a ring on her finger before things can go further. She believes with her help, she could make them climb the social ladder.
- Rosie, the store owner who pays rent to Boysie and his gang and the only one out of the four ladies that sees Boysie for who he is and wants nothing to do with him.
These four women have their lives woven around this man and they take actions that impact not only them but those around too. Written in the Trini dialect which makes it very realistic, their stories keep you engaged and you tend to understand what they had to go through with him and the reasons for their actions.
You know that feeling when you finish a book or a movie and you absolutely want to dig for more information about the geographical location or the people? This is one of those. I did some little research to know more about the history of Trinidad and Tobago and discovered that after the African slaves were emancipated—which resulted in the shortage of labour—the British colonial masters shipped in Indians to the island as at 1845 to fill in the gaps. Trinidad and Tobago is 35% Indian and 34% African.
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh is a fictional account about real life historical figure, Boysie Singh, who was a known gangster, gambler, pirate, and so on, in the 40s and 50s terrorising the inhabitants of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Written in alternating points of view from four different women connected to Singh, they talk about how they feel about him, how he treats them, and about his exploits, either as they have been told or as they witness them. The four women are as follows:
- Popo, the ex-prostitute, who escapes with her client, Boysie Singh, and trying to put away with her former lifestyle goes on to live with Singh aiming for a better life. She helps him start his business(es) hoping to change both of their lives, but life's one funny motherf***er.
- Mana Lala, Boysie's baby mother and longtime sweetheart, is endlessly devoted to him and their son. She hopes to have a family life with Boysie and neglects everybody's opinion on Boysie, despite him treating her badly and following every Mary and Martha around.
- Doris, who comes from a poor background, believes she's destined to have the best things life has to offer. She meets Boysie who woos her, but she remains adamant—as a strong Catholic girl that she is—that he has to put a ring on her finger before things can go further. She believes with her help, she could make them climb the social ladder.
- Rosie, the store owner who pays rent to Boysie and his gang and the only one out of the four ladies that sees Boysie for who he is and wants nothing to do with him.
These four women have their lives woven around this man and they take actions that impact not only them but those around too. Written in the Trini dialect which makes it very realistic, their stories keep you engaged and you tend to understand what they had to go through with him and the reasons for their actions.
January 28, 2025
“I have lived, I have seen things and I have done things. Now I must go, but I am innocent of this crime. I always tried to help people and this is how I got a great deal of my troubles” Those were the words of John Boysie Singh, a notorious gangster who terrorized Trinidadian society for decades.
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud.
This story was set around the 1950s. This 535 page historical fiction was an anticipated read since its publication on April 25, 2024.
The story was told by four women who impacted Boysie’s life well some might say four women that Boysie impacted. Ingrid shared that during her research of Boysie, these four women came up and from there she created four characters:
* Doris, the wife, who wants to be a part of the upper echelons of society;
* Mana Lala, the mother of Boysie’s son, who yearned to have Boysie and her son close.
* Popo, a prostitute smart and pushing for a better life for herself.
* Rosie, a shopkeeper who loves her shop and her lady Etty and met Boysie under unfavorable conditions.
This book was an amazing read Ingrid’s writing style by is unique and I love it. This #readcaribbean book was also educational - I was exposed to the Trinidadian/Indian culture. The words listed below will forever stay with me:
* Maco
* Chupidness
* Beta
* Cunumumu
* Poohar
Ingrid had me hooked as she flowed masterfully between women and broke my heart (as she always does) with one of her plot twists. All throughout this book Boysie had me in shock with his behavior and his life.
Each and every one of the characters are unforgettable. There were parts of this story that were true to Caribbean living and behaviors.
The only thing I would have liked is more on Boysie in Part 4.
Ingrid, this book was worth the wait and the weight!
Baje Bookclub Whatsapp Readers Group had a buddy read and 14 members and I enjoyed the comments we shared in StoryGraph.
If you’re looking for a historical fiction set in the Caribbean which is based on the life of a real gangster, then this is for sure your jam. Don’t let 2025 end without reading this one.
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud.
This story was set around the 1950s. This 535 page historical fiction was an anticipated read since its publication on April 25, 2024.
The story was told by four women who impacted Boysie’s life well some might say four women that Boysie impacted. Ingrid shared that during her research of Boysie, these four women came up and from there she created four characters:
* Doris, the wife, who wants to be a part of the upper echelons of society;
* Mana Lala, the mother of Boysie’s son, who yearned to have Boysie and her son close.
* Popo, a prostitute smart and pushing for a better life for herself.
* Rosie, a shopkeeper who loves her shop and her lady Etty and met Boysie under unfavorable conditions.
This book was an amazing read Ingrid’s writing style by is unique and I love it. This #readcaribbean book was also educational - I was exposed to the Trinidadian/Indian culture. The words listed below will forever stay with me:
* Maco
* Chupidness
* Beta
* Cunumumu
* Poohar
Ingrid had me hooked as she flowed masterfully between women and broke my heart (as she always does) with one of her plot twists. All throughout this book Boysie had me in shock with his behavior and his life.
Each and every one of the characters are unforgettable. There were parts of this story that were true to Caribbean living and behaviors.
The only thing I would have liked is more on Boysie in Part 4.
Ingrid, this book was worth the wait and the weight!
Baje Bookclub Whatsapp Readers Group had a buddy read and 14 members and I enjoyed the comments we shared in StoryGraph.
If you’re looking for a historical fiction set in the Caribbean which is based on the life of a real gangster, then this is for sure your jam. Don’t let 2025 end without reading this one.
August 20, 2025
The story is set in Trinidad and follows four women…. Popo, Mana Lala, Doris, and Rosie, who are all connected to one man, Boysie Singh. He’s a gangster, gambler, murderer, and calls himself the King of Port of Spain. Each woman has her own complicated relationship with him, and through their stories, you really see the hold he had on their lives.
Popo is a prostitute who’s trying to leave her past behind and get back her freedom. Doris is a Christian woman who helps clean up Boysie’s image…to some extent, and thinks he’ll treat her differently, despite the rumours and red flags. Rosie just wants peace and to be with her partner, Etty, but Boysie would not let this woman rest.
Then we have Mana Lala… honestly, she really stressed me out. She would do anything to have Boysie in her life. It was sad, embarrassing, and frustrating to read. Even though he had clearly moved on and wasn’t interested in her anymore, she kept trying to find ways to keep him around. They have a child together, and Boysie is actually very present in his son’s life, but Mana Lala was holding on to the dream of being a family. She would even put her child’s life in danger to get Boysie’s attention. Just madness!
The writing is engaging and easy to follow. The short chapters help you move through the story quickly, even though the book is long. It did take me a little while to get used to the Indo-Trinidadian lingo, but once I found the flow, I was fully into it. The language adds so much to the story.
This is a character driven book about love, obsession, control, and survival. And what makes it even more interesting is that it’s based on the real Boysie Singh, a man who actually existed and caused real terror in Trinidad during the 1940s and 50s.
I read this for #readcaribbeanmonth and really enjoyed it! This is my second book by this author, and it did not disappoint.
Popo is a prostitute who’s trying to leave her past behind and get back her freedom. Doris is a Christian woman who helps clean up Boysie’s image…to some extent, and thinks he’ll treat her differently, despite the rumours and red flags. Rosie just wants peace and to be with her partner, Etty, but Boysie would not let this woman rest.
Then we have Mana Lala… honestly, she really stressed me out. She would do anything to have Boysie in her life. It was sad, embarrassing, and frustrating to read. Even though he had clearly moved on and wasn’t interested in her anymore, she kept trying to find ways to keep him around. They have a child together, and Boysie is actually very present in his son’s life, but Mana Lala was holding on to the dream of being a family. She would even put her child’s life in danger to get Boysie’s attention. Just madness!
The writing is engaging and easy to follow. The short chapters help you move through the story quickly, even though the book is long. It did take me a little while to get used to the Indo-Trinidadian lingo, but once I found the flow, I was fully into it. The language adds so much to the story.
This is a character driven book about love, obsession, control, and survival. And what makes it even more interesting is that it’s based on the real Boysie Singh, a man who actually existed and caused real terror in Trinidad during the 1940s and 50s.
I read this for #readcaribbeanmonth and really enjoyed it! This is my second book by this author, and it did not disappoint.
May 20, 2024
Thank you to tandem and faber books for sending me a copy of this book and for inviting me along on this readalong.
This book is set in 1930s Trinidad and Tobago and spanning over a period of the 40s and 50s.
It follows the entanglement of four women's lives with one man named Boysie Singh.
All these relationships present the negative ties and relationships the women have with Boysie and how these relations can often have long term negative effects upon themselves and the individuals around them.
The women include Mana Lala, a woman who has a child named Chunksee with Boysie. Doris is a Catholic woman who befriends Boysie in her Church, which evidently leads to something more, Popo who is a Sex worker, later becoming a business partner to Boysie and Rosie who is described as a childhood friend to him, alongside being a business owner.
All these women are the perspectives within this novel and present to us the reader the narrative of Boysie Singh and the dimension of his characterisation, presenting the treatment of these women alongside others around him in his business empire being seen as collateral damage.
I really enjoyed the Indian influences within this novel alongside the Trinidadian dialect. As a South Asian woman, this was really interesting to read as there was a lot of terminology relating to Hindi (which I understand) alongside the influences that Indo-Caribbean culture has within this book with Hinduism playing a big part within Mana Lala's life, whilst on the other hand, Catholicism having a big impact on Doris's life. Religion is used as a massive factor within this novel and it was very interesting and enjoyable to read.
Since this was a readalong, there was the option for both the book and the audiobook. The alternation between the two really brought out the disposition of the characters and made the experience lively and enjoyable to read.
This book does deal on heavy topics so Trigger Warnings are advised.
This book is set in 1930s Trinidad and Tobago and spanning over a period of the 40s and 50s.
It follows the entanglement of four women's lives with one man named Boysie Singh.
All these relationships present the negative ties and relationships the women have with Boysie and how these relations can often have long term negative effects upon themselves and the individuals around them.
The women include Mana Lala, a woman who has a child named Chunksee with Boysie. Doris is a Catholic woman who befriends Boysie in her Church, which evidently leads to something more, Popo who is a Sex worker, later becoming a business partner to Boysie and Rosie who is described as a childhood friend to him, alongside being a business owner.
All these women are the perspectives within this novel and present to us the reader the narrative of Boysie Singh and the dimension of his characterisation, presenting the treatment of these women alongside others around him in his business empire being seen as collateral damage.
I really enjoyed the Indian influences within this novel alongside the Trinidadian dialect. As a South Asian woman, this was really interesting to read as there was a lot of terminology relating to Hindi (which I understand) alongside the influences that Indo-Caribbean culture has within this book with Hinduism playing a big part within Mana Lala's life, whilst on the other hand, Catholicism having a big impact on Doris's life. Religion is used as a massive factor within this novel and it was very interesting and enjoyable to read.
Since this was a readalong, there was the option for both the book and the audiobook. The alternation between the two really brought out the disposition of the characters and made the experience lively and enjoyable to read.
This book does deal on heavy topics so Trigger Warnings are advised.
May 21, 2024
I was drawn to this book by the vibrant and interesting cover and by my need and want to diversify my book shelf and reading life. I saw the blurb and was drawn to what appeared to be a very unique and exciting read, but I was not at all prepared for what I was about to listen to and read. I took turns listening to the audiobook and reading this book, and it is such a unique way to consume the book, and one I would highly recommend. I absolutely loved the narrator of the book, and how they truly brought to life each of the people. There is such a unique cast of characters, throughout the read and the narrator honestly gave each of them their own unique vibrancy. I did get annoyed with them for their way they all fell for Boysie, with nomregard for themselves and only cared about making him happy. Maybe this is slightly cultural, but it was as of Boysie was magic. It was nice to see them start to find their own voices and really come out of the Boysie shadow a bit. I did, however, really really dislike Boysie. This is likely linked to him being similar to a character in my own life, and that person was horrible as well. Boysie is no good. You will have a love to hate relationship with him and it drives the core of this book and will really get you thinking. It gets you souch so that when the end comes, it makes you stop and take stock and question whether you feel ok with it, and he earned his ending. Overall, I really loved this book. It is vibrant, lively and really brings out thought provoking emotions. Give it a listen and read. You will really enjoy it.
July 27, 2025
A vibrant story set in Trinidad about 4 women who loved a gangster, Boysie Singh.
Popo is a street smart prostitute who cared for Boysie because he showed her kindness (a rare thing for her), and who helped him set up a gambling business. She's alert and not too romantic... until she isn't.
Mana Lala is the worst pick-me you've ever met, Boysie's baby mama, who spends most of the book trying to make Boysie choose her over other women. Nothing stops her, and she's even ready to do harm to her own child for this. She's the most difficult women to like, but even she's on a journey here and has an arc.
Doris is a woman who believes she's too good for her small town, and who strives to live in luxury. She's the kind of woman a man like Boysie would want as an arm-candy. Doris appears stuck-up, but, like Mana Lala, she'll eventually learn her lesson. (She'll also learn that having money doesn't buy you respect, especially if you're not white.)
Rosie is a childhood crush of Boysie, a queer woman who runs a bar under his thumb. She's mostly here to connect fact and fiction, I'd say (for Boysie Singh was a real man, and the book contains some facts from his biography).
We won't learn much about Singh himself, only things these women knew about him.
It's good to have a book with 4 imperfect female characters. You won't always agree with them, and they'll make unwise decisions, but it's what making them more real and recognizable.
Popo is a street smart prostitute who cared for Boysie because he showed her kindness (a rare thing for her), and who helped him set up a gambling business. She's alert and not too romantic... until she isn't.
Mana Lala is the worst pick-me you've ever met, Boysie's baby mama, who spends most of the book trying to make Boysie choose her over other women. Nothing stops her, and she's even ready to do harm to her own child for this. She's the most difficult women to like, but even she's on a journey here and has an arc.
Doris is a woman who believes she's too good for her small town, and who strives to live in luxury. She's the kind of woman a man like Boysie would want as an arm-candy. Doris appears stuck-up, but, like Mana Lala, she'll eventually learn her lesson. (She'll also learn that having money doesn't buy you respect, especially if you're not white.)
Rosie is a childhood crush of Boysie, a queer woman who runs a bar under his thumb. She's mostly here to connect fact and fiction, I'd say (for Boysie Singh was a real man, and the book contains some facts from his biography).
We won't learn much about Singh himself, only things these women knew about him.
It's good to have a book with 4 imperfect female characters. You won't always agree with them, and they'll make unwise decisions, but it's what making them more real and recognizable.
August 3, 2024
The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh demonstrates Ingrid Persaud's growth and mastery in writing riveting fiction. This was a well paced novel with very good use of unreliable narration and partial glimpses which built the tension in the lives of the women surrounding Boysie Singh. Among Popo, Rosie, Madan Lal and Doris was a pantheon of women in Trinidad in the 1950s. The author has successfully re-created Port-of-Spain Trinidad and a view of the complex society of the underclass stuck between the criminal world and a normal world of getting by in life. I especially liked the device of the glimpses and side views of Boysie Singh which at the same time peeled back the different women's facades. Even as the murders escalated, it was clear that the survivors side stepped the evil and were lucky more than clever. As the terrible deeds piled up, I found the unpleasant and bad odour of Boysie Singh was unmistakeably dominating the later third of the novel, which I found difficult to read in long stretches as it took hold of my imagination. Trini dialect was well used and sounded unforced and natural - a challenging feat when writing what is essentially a sing song cadence into an English sounding representation. Highly Recommended.
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