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Tall Is Her Body
A magical realist and introspective portrait of one boy’s journey to manhood amidst the collapse of the West Indie’s banana industry.
Before the gadèt-zafè came to warn his mother she would die, six-year-old Fidel knew only the everyday mystery of the Guadeloupe around him. The lush greenery, the dusty roads, the sugar cane growing and the neighbors arguing, the push and pull of love and resentment between people who rely on each other—his world is small but full. Until a few moments of violence change his life forever.
Orphaned, Fidel returns to his mother’s native Dominica and whirls from one relative and reality to another, learning pieces of his own story. His heritage is one of layered secrets and sharp divisions—between the grandmothers who love him and the aunt who wants him dead, the Catholic orthodoxy of his school and the Obeah knowledge of his grandfather, and the indigenous and the colonial. The violence he’s witnessed inhabits not only strangers but himself. The spirits of the dead visit him with advice, threats, and explanations. And when he sees a path toward happiness in Canada, he must reconcile his intense, bittersweet love of his home with the possibility of leaving it.
Before the gadèt-zafè came to warn his mother she would die, six-year-old Fidel knew only the everyday mystery of the Guadeloupe around him. The lush greenery, the dusty roads, the sugar cane growing and the neighbors arguing, the push and pull of love and resentment between people who rely on each other—his world is small but full. Until a few moments of violence change his life forever.
Orphaned, Fidel returns to his mother’s native Dominica and whirls from one relative and reality to another, learning pieces of his own story. His heritage is one of layered secrets and sharp divisions—between the grandmothers who love him and the aunt who wants him dead, the Catholic orthodoxy of his school and the Obeah knowledge of his grandfather, and the indigenous and the colonial. The violence he’s witnessed inhabits not only strangers but himself. The spirits of the dead visit him with advice, threats, and explanations. And when he sees a path toward happiness in Canada, he must reconcile his intense, bittersweet love of his home with the possibility of leaving it.
291 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2025
13 people are currently reading
3384 people want to read
About the author
Robert de la Chevotiere
3 books40 followersRobert de la Chevotiere is a short story writer, novelist and award winning poet. He has been a public school teacher for nearly 20 years. Originally from the Caribbean Island of Dominica, he spent equal parts of his childhood in Guadeloupe and in Bermuda. He now resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 27, 2025
I loved the concept of the story. Up until the story moves to Canada, it was very well written and I was left wanting more. Fidel's pain and his experiences as a 6 year old are so evocative - you feel like you're right there with him experiencing it with him.
The second half of the book was disappointing in terms of writing style. Seemed a bit childish to me. I was also a bit lost with all the detailed prose.
Overall, a good one time read.
The second half of the book was disappointing in terms of writing style. Seemed a bit childish to me. I was also a bit lost with all the detailed prose.
Overall, a good one time read.
December 25, 2025
An unremarkable story for a young boy's passage to adulthood in spite of the violence which seems to surround him everywhere his life takes him.
Its strong on the descriptions of the key characters but light on sense of place, which I was hoping to get more from.
Its strong on the descriptions of the key characters but light on sense of place, which I was hoping to get more from.
October 1, 2025
3.5 stars
a strong debut that tells a familiar story with characters haunted and vulnerable, thrown into violent situations that mark their lives and see them passing on that same violence. I'm just happy that Fidel was able to find his way through.
also, the use of the proverbs in each chapter was great as I love learning new proverbs as well as seeing how similar they can be across islands.
a strong debut that tells a familiar story with characters haunted and vulnerable, thrown into violent situations that mark their lives and see them passing on that same violence. I'm just happy that Fidel was able to find his way through.
also, the use of the proverbs in each chapter was great as I love learning new proverbs as well as seeing how similar they can be across islands.
November 3, 2025
3.5 Stars
Following a series of traumatic events, Fidel arrives, from Guadeloupe, to a newly independent Dominica. Fertile, verdant land, rugged mountains, refreshing rivers and clear seas. The Roseau air is heavy with humidity and a heat that cannot be cooled. A life riddled with trauma, Fidel’s story also brings to light unsavory aspects of life on the island(s): child and domestic violence, femicide and the duplicity of patriarchy. We journey with Fidel, uncovering family secrets, witnessing his ambition, his love, his rage, his growth. Dominica is banana country, its impending failure providing the backdrop against which this story unfolds.
Fidel, and Lucy, of Kalinago descent with big big dreams, meet in Roseau, Dominica while they were in high school. Lucy wants to be free of colonial legacy, which she feels is being reinforced through institutions like the [Catholic] Church and Fidel confides in her that he sometimes sees his dead mother. They understand each other completely and their lives remain intertwined over the years as testament of what love and friendship could look like. This novel is as much a telling of their love as it is of Fidel’s life.
Spiritual destiny is a recurring theme here. When Fidel is initiated into the practice as a young boy, Obeah practitioners are presented here as being different, having the ability to feel and sense things other people cannot, communing with the land. Although traced through his bloodline, Fidel struggles with his abilities as shaman and divinator, even at one point converting to Catholicism to be free of Obeah. But no matter how hard he tries, these supernatural experiences are something he must contend with. While I found the question of spiritual destiny to be interesting, I felt that the practice of Obeah, even within the novel, is and has been too polarized to be reduced to “But nature is just one part of my gift…I can also see the dead and speak to them.” With the exception of the prediction of Fidel’s mother’s death the reader isn’t presented with anything that would inform their view of Obeah. We aren’t given any snapshots of practitioners interacting in that capacity with their community, whether for good or bad.
That aside, there is so much about this book I enjoyed: background commentary on Dominican politics under the administration of its only female Prime Minister, the narrative of a failing banana industry, the deep bonds connecting chosen family and community that cannot be grasped by outsiders. I loved seeing Fidel’s growth throughout this novel and his capacity to love in spite of all that he had been through.
Following a series of traumatic events, Fidel arrives, from Guadeloupe, to a newly independent Dominica. Fertile, verdant land, rugged mountains, refreshing rivers and clear seas. The Roseau air is heavy with humidity and a heat that cannot be cooled. A life riddled with trauma, Fidel’s story also brings to light unsavory aspects of life on the island(s): child and domestic violence, femicide and the duplicity of patriarchy. We journey with Fidel, uncovering family secrets, witnessing his ambition, his love, his rage, his growth. Dominica is banana country, its impending failure providing the backdrop against which this story unfolds.
Fidel, and Lucy, of Kalinago descent with big big dreams, meet in Roseau, Dominica while they were in high school. Lucy wants to be free of colonial legacy, which she feels is being reinforced through institutions like the [Catholic] Church and Fidel confides in her that he sometimes sees his dead mother. They understand each other completely and their lives remain intertwined over the years as testament of what love and friendship could look like. This novel is as much a telling of their love as it is of Fidel’s life.
Spiritual destiny is a recurring theme here. When Fidel is initiated into the practice as a young boy, Obeah practitioners are presented here as being different, having the ability to feel and sense things other people cannot, communing with the land. Although traced through his bloodline, Fidel struggles with his abilities as shaman and divinator, even at one point converting to Catholicism to be free of Obeah. But no matter how hard he tries, these supernatural experiences are something he must contend with. While I found the question of spiritual destiny to be interesting, I felt that the practice of Obeah, even within the novel, is and has been too polarized to be reduced to “But nature is just one part of my gift…I can also see the dead and speak to them.” With the exception of the prediction of Fidel’s mother’s death the reader isn’t presented with anything that would inform their view of Obeah. We aren’t given any snapshots of practitioners interacting in that capacity with their community, whether for good or bad.
That aside, there is so much about this book I enjoyed: background commentary on Dominican politics under the administration of its only female Prime Minister, the narrative of a failing banana industry, the deep bonds connecting chosen family and community that cannot be grasped by outsiders. I loved seeing Fidel’s growth throughout this novel and his capacity to love in spite of all that he had been through.
June 8, 2025
Robert de la Chevotière’s Tall is Her Body is a sweeping, multigenerational epic that masterfully captures the raw, tangled complexities of life in the West Indies. Spanning decades, this novel is both intimate and expansive, offering a profound meditation on identity, heritage, and survival in the face of deeply rooted social and historical injustice. At its heart is Fidel—a compelling protagonist whose journey from childhood to adulthood is shaped by the shadows of colonialism, systemic racism, and fractured family legacies.
The narrative explores a rich tapestry of themes, including racism, colorism, misogyny, class divisions, and the residual hierarchies of colonial rule. These themes aren’t merely touched on—they are interwoven into the very fabric of the characters’ lives, influencing their choices, their relationships, and their sense of self. De la Chevotière doesn’t shy away from the hard truths. Instead, he confronts them head-on, creating a story that is both haunting and deeply human.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its exploration of fate and free will—how characters navigate the tension between the lives they inherit and the futures they dare to imagine. There’s a quiet brilliance in how parallel storylines echo and respond to one another, deepening the reader’s understanding of generational trauma, resilience, and the constant search for belonging.
What truly elevates the book, however, is its incorporation of magical realism, most notably through the lens of Obeah—a spiritual practice rooted in West African-Caribbean traditions and shaped by the brutal legacy of slavery. The supernatural elements never feel out of place; rather, they lend the novel a powerful oral storytelling quality that feels ancient and immediate all at once. It's a kind of ancestral whisper woven through the prose, offering both insight and mystery.
De la Chevotière’s writing is fluid, evocative, and steeped in atmosphere. His narrative voice moves with ease between stark realism and lyrical beauty, drawing readers deep into the world he’s crafted. This is not a book to be rushed—it demands presence, reflection, and emotional openness. I do encourage readers to check for content warnings before diving in, as the novel contains moments of violence that may be difficult for some.
The narrative explores a rich tapestry of themes, including racism, colorism, misogyny, class divisions, and the residual hierarchies of colonial rule. These themes aren’t merely touched on—they are interwoven into the very fabric of the characters’ lives, influencing their choices, their relationships, and their sense of self. De la Chevotière doesn’t shy away from the hard truths. Instead, he confronts them head-on, creating a story that is both haunting and deeply human.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its exploration of fate and free will—how characters navigate the tension between the lives they inherit and the futures they dare to imagine. There’s a quiet brilliance in how parallel storylines echo and respond to one another, deepening the reader’s understanding of generational trauma, resilience, and the constant search for belonging.
What truly elevates the book, however, is its incorporation of magical realism, most notably through the lens of Obeah—a spiritual practice rooted in West African-Caribbean traditions and shaped by the brutal legacy of slavery. The supernatural elements never feel out of place; rather, they lend the novel a powerful oral storytelling quality that feels ancient and immediate all at once. It's a kind of ancestral whisper woven through the prose, offering both insight and mystery.
De la Chevotière’s writing is fluid, evocative, and steeped in atmosphere. His narrative voice moves with ease between stark realism and lyrical beauty, drawing readers deep into the world he’s crafted. This is not a book to be rushed—it demands presence, reflection, and emotional openness. I do encourage readers to check for content warnings before diving in, as the novel contains moments of violence that may be difficult for some.
August 25, 2025
Deeply emotional, and definitely worth the reading !
May 13, 2025
This was a beautifully written story following young Fidel from age 6 to adulthood. One of the things I love most about this novel is the character development. We feel Fidel‘s pain and his struggle for self acceptance, his search for happiness, his love for his homeland and for Lucy. Fidel’s inner conflict between Catholicism and the Obeah plays a large role in his development, which is interesting to explore and adds an intriguing element of the supernatural. (Also, I love it when I can hate a character and I got that in Booms, and sort of Lucy at times).
The plot had several unexpected twists when I stopped and went…WHAT????? 🤯 At the same time, I learned a lot about the West Indies and the banana industry. You can’t help but fall in love with both Guadeloupe and Dominica based on the beautiful descriptions of these islands.
This novel is told from Fidel‘s perspective and I love reading from the first person perspective. The prose is elegant and beautiful and at times had me reading lines over and over again, just to appreciate the beauty and flow of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend
The plot had several unexpected twists when I stopped and went…WHAT????? 🤯 At the same time, I learned a lot about the West Indies and the banana industry. You can’t help but fall in love with both Guadeloupe and Dominica based on the beautiful descriptions of these islands.
This novel is told from Fidel‘s perspective and I love reading from the first person perspective. The prose is elegant and beautiful and at times had me reading lines over and over again, just to appreciate the beauty and flow of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend
July 14, 2025
This is a really well written novel that focuses on a young boy growing up between various worlds, both culturally (Catholic, Obeah, the family members he's shuffled among after his mother passes) and literally (yay magic realism), and what happens when he eventually realizes there's a path forward for his life in Canada. There's a deep look at the effects of Colonialism that he grows up in, and there appears to be an element of autofiction in that the boy's life story is similar to the author's. Author has two books coming out around the same time this fall, and I'm unsure of which of them is the first one and is technically a debut, but this still swings hard and is worth picking up when it comes out.
January 5, 2026
//4.5stars//
I really enjoyed this coming of age story set in Dominica. We follow young Fidel as his mother is killed in fromt of him, he then learns of new relatives who seem to not always want the best for him and all the while battles with seeing the dead. This novel centers women and the unique challenges they face in their self actualisation, with responsibilities of motherhood or not motherhood. It examines men and the violence they perpertuade against women on a small and large scale and what and whether is exusable.
Fidel contends with intersecting worlds, the Catholic teachings at his school versus his grandfather’s Obeah spiritual beliefs; Indigenous and colonial histories of the islands; and familial love and violence. He develops an ability to see and communicate with spirits of the dead, a mystical element that infuses the narrative with magical realism without overtly dominating the plot.
Later, Fidel spends time in Canada for college, where he confronts issues of racism and identity that contrast sharply with his life in the Caribbean. Eventually he returns to Dominica and settles as a farmer, but opportunities and relationships pull him toward the possibility of a life abroad. His story is a search for belonging, reconciling his love of home with the desire for a future beyond it.
His coming of age is a series of choices about identity, belonging, belief and truth with different worlds offering different feelings of belonging and freedom. The story is simple, a boy becomes a man, gets a scholarship to Canada but returns to Dominica, but harrowing and the way that the author explores themes of female agency and male violence alongside the story is brilliant!
We meet different characters that explore these aspects differently, Fidel who is scared of the spiritual world and yet eventually learns to accept it as part of nature, who understands male violence and enacts it and yet both betrays and saves the woman he loves, Lucy. Lorenz who loves Booms at all costs, AT ALL COSTS, to the point that he cannot be forgiven. Booms, whose violence is understandable yet still makes you hate her. Janine who underestimates her privilige to choose her life path and Esme who chooses her path, but sacrifices her home.
Favourite quotes:
“Particularly, I questioned who I was and why I was seeing the world through my eyes, wondering if it was luck or misfortune.”
“Although island life was not as brutal for our generation, women were still trapped under the thumbs of men, many of whom had no idea what it meant to be a man. Manhood was a double-edged sword, where even men themselves were trapped under the patriarchy. Like everyone, Lucy had dreams and she chased them. We all needed a sound education, men and women. But the rules were written and enforced by the patriarchy. The margin of error for women like Lucy was small. Men never worried about becoming pregnant. It was and would always be easier for men in Dominica to exist in a world they dominated.”
“"I have always had a spiritual connection to the earth. And I don't just mean Dominica. I mean the dirt, gravel, mud, the leaves as they rot underfoot. It has always been through that connection that I feel things others can't, and I am all right with that. I accept that I see the dead. I feel their pain. I talk to them so they may resolve their issues and find peace or whatever their needs may be. I just see myself as me. And if my connection to the earth makes me an Obeah, so be it," I answered.”
"Time is such a contradiction," she said. "Everything is better in time, while time is slowly killing everything, watching us grow old and weak, waiting for us to fall, only to swallow us whole.”
“You cannot save Dominica. Our country is like our mother. She nurtures us and protects us, and then sends us on our way," she said.”
I really enjoyed this coming of age story set in Dominica. We follow young Fidel as his mother is killed in fromt of him, he then learns of new relatives who seem to not always want the best for him and all the while battles with seeing the dead. This novel centers women and the unique challenges they face in their self actualisation, with responsibilities of motherhood or not motherhood. It examines men and the violence they perpertuade against women on a small and large scale and what and whether is exusable.
Fidel contends with intersecting worlds, the Catholic teachings at his school versus his grandfather’s Obeah spiritual beliefs; Indigenous and colonial histories of the islands; and familial love and violence. He develops an ability to see and communicate with spirits of the dead, a mystical element that infuses the narrative with magical realism without overtly dominating the plot.
Later, Fidel spends time in Canada for college, where he confronts issues of racism and identity that contrast sharply with his life in the Caribbean. Eventually he returns to Dominica and settles as a farmer, but opportunities and relationships pull him toward the possibility of a life abroad. His story is a search for belonging, reconciling his love of home with the desire for a future beyond it.
His coming of age is a series of choices about identity, belonging, belief and truth with different worlds offering different feelings of belonging and freedom. The story is simple, a boy becomes a man, gets a scholarship to Canada but returns to Dominica, but harrowing and the way that the author explores themes of female agency and male violence alongside the story is brilliant!
We meet different characters that explore these aspects differently, Fidel who is scared of the spiritual world and yet eventually learns to accept it as part of nature, who understands male violence and enacts it and yet both betrays and saves the woman he loves, Lucy. Lorenz who loves Booms at all costs, AT ALL COSTS, to the point that he cannot be forgiven. Booms, whose violence is understandable yet still makes you hate her. Janine who underestimates her privilige to choose her life path and Esme who chooses her path, but sacrifices her home.
Favourite quotes:
“Particularly, I questioned who I was and why I was seeing the world through my eyes, wondering if it was luck or misfortune.”
“Although island life was not as brutal for our generation, women were still trapped under the thumbs of men, many of whom had no idea what it meant to be a man. Manhood was a double-edged sword, where even men themselves were trapped under the patriarchy. Like everyone, Lucy had dreams and she chased them. We all needed a sound education, men and women. But the rules were written and enforced by the patriarchy. The margin of error for women like Lucy was small. Men never worried about becoming pregnant. It was and would always be easier for men in Dominica to exist in a world they dominated.”
“"I have always had a spiritual connection to the earth. And I don't just mean Dominica. I mean the dirt, gravel, mud, the leaves as they rot underfoot. It has always been through that connection that I feel things others can't, and I am all right with that. I accept that I see the dead. I feel their pain. I talk to them so they may resolve their issues and find peace or whatever their needs may be. I just see myself as me. And if my connection to the earth makes me an Obeah, so be it," I answered.”
"Time is such a contradiction," she said. "Everything is better in time, while time is slowly killing everything, watching us grow old and weak, waiting for us to fall, only to swallow us whole.”
“You cannot save Dominica. Our country is like our mother. She nurtures us and protects us, and then sends us on our way," she said.”
January 31, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ Many books are entertaining; this one is meaningful. Its depth comes from intention and sincerity rather than trend and spectacle. While some may find its non-linear path unconventional or unfulfilling, I found it honest and endearing. The focus is inward, steady, and deeply human. The story unfolds with patience and attention rather than urgency, moving at its own pace and uninterested in momentum for its own sake. In doing so, it takes its time and trusts the reader.
That inward focus is carried almost entirely through the narrator. His life is marked early by profound loss and instability, and the story follows him as he moves through a series of environments shaped by both care and cruelty. Despite everything he endures, he remains fundamentally kind. Again and again, he responds to hardship and mistreatment with patience, generosity, and forgiveness, even when it isn’t earned. This goodness never feels exaggerated or moralized; it simply exists, steady and unforced, giving the novel its emotional core.
The power of the book also comes from how the narrator speaks. He often expresses complex emotions in simple, direct language, distilling large feelings into clear, meaningful statements without excess. Those moments feel especially resonant because they’re never dressed up or overexplained.
Structurally, the novel mirrors that same restraint. The story moves in unexpected, non-linear directions, spanning many years of the narrator’s life. Even as the narrative travels widely, his inner self remains strong and rooted, creating a sense of continuity and home throughout. By the end, there is a feeling of peace that feels earned rather than convenient — not because the past is erased, but because it has been fully lived through. That balance is what gives this book its quiet authority and lasting weight, and what made it remain with me.
That inward focus is carried almost entirely through the narrator. His life is marked early by profound loss and instability, and the story follows him as he moves through a series of environments shaped by both care and cruelty. Despite everything he endures, he remains fundamentally kind. Again and again, he responds to hardship and mistreatment with patience, generosity, and forgiveness, even when it isn’t earned. This goodness never feels exaggerated or moralized; it simply exists, steady and unforced, giving the novel its emotional core.
The power of the book also comes from how the narrator speaks. He often expresses complex emotions in simple, direct language, distilling large feelings into clear, meaningful statements without excess. Those moments feel especially resonant because they’re never dressed up or overexplained.
Structurally, the novel mirrors that same restraint. The story moves in unexpected, non-linear directions, spanning many years of the narrator’s life. Even as the narrative travels widely, his inner self remains strong and rooted, creating a sense of continuity and home throughout. By the end, there is a feeling of peace that feels earned rather than convenient — not because the past is erased, but because it has been fully lived through. That balance is what gives this book its quiet authority and lasting weight, and what made it remain with me.
January 4, 2026
Tall is Her Body grips from page 1. In a tight narrative, Robert de la Chevotiere whisks you to the Caribbean. Beautiful, sombre descriptions of the geography of Guadeloupe and Dominica – land, climate, water – show how the places of birth and upbringing impact young Fidel. Woven into this connection to place that grounds Fidel is the exploration how the geography extends to the complex and layered culture and customs, including the haunting legacy of colonialism and exploitation. After terrible violence alters Fidel’s world forever, he connects with the mystery and magic around him while his real-world life is tumultuous and unsettled. When he experiences visits from his ancestors, he listens to their messages with doubt, reverence, and fear as he tries to understand the meaning. Like the proverbs starting most chapters, Fidel works to understand what he is told and how it relates to his own story. As Fidel navigates his way through a painful yet uplifting journey, he grows to understand his place, within his culture and upon the land. Tall is Her Body is full of wisdom, heartache and acceptance. This novel reveals how deep determination for answers propel Fidel as he moves from child to man, as the same drive for justice echoes through his island nations. Recommend!
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October 27, 2025This magical story takes us through the hard life in the West Indies. It is a masterpiece that tells us about Fidel that spans through decades. Through Fidel's journey, we experience his pain, his survival, and the injustices of a system that was set up to never allow him to succeed.
We see how colonialism opens the doors to discrimination, colorism, and a caste system that is at times hard to supersede. This story is beautiful, magical, and emotional.
I loved Fidel and his journey. I also enjoyed the elements of magical realism throughout the book. But most of all, I was enchanted by the writing. Highly recommend because we can all take a little something from it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Publishing/Erewhon Books, for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
We see how colonialism opens the doors to discrimination, colorism, and a caste system that is at times hard to supersede. This story is beautiful, magical, and emotional.
I loved Fidel and his journey. I also enjoyed the elements of magical realism throughout the book. But most of all, I was enchanted by the writing. Highly recommend because we can all take a little something from it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Publishing/Erewhon Books, for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
November 9, 2025
*This is a Goodreads Giveaway*
A phenomenal story that introduces me to Caribbean islands I had never heard of, to a culture and lifestyle I had never thought of. The author really pours out his soul. Meditations on what it means to be a POC Island native navigating a mostly white college. There is a lot of horrific violence, but I think the author is not trying to sugar coat the hardships of life on the islands. Otherwise, this book inspires me to visit these beautiful islands for myself.
A phenomenal story that introduces me to Caribbean islands I had never heard of, to a culture and lifestyle I had never thought of. The author really pours out his soul. Meditations on what it means to be a POC Island native navigating a mostly white college. There is a lot of horrific violence, but I think the author is not trying to sugar coat the hardships of life on the islands. Otherwise, this book inspires me to visit these beautiful islands for myself.
November 21, 2025
Overall, this was such a good book. I just felt like the first and second halves of the book did not meld together. Maybe the tone was different, I'm not sure how to word it. But I guess it was supposed to be different, as it was another stage in the main character's life. I enjoyed the magical realism and learning about the island. If I ever re-read the book, I would remind myself that the book does have a lot of violent trauma so as not to read before bed.
October 16, 2025
Rounded up to 4.5 Stars
This novel is beautifully written. Reading from a child’s perspective often doesn’t come across as authentic, but this felt so incredibly real. Fidel’s pain at 6 years old and through his early childhood was palpable. Fidel’s story, set in the West Indies, educated me on many issues I will never experience or be able to truly comprehend. The first person narrative made the experience intimate while exploring themes and complexity’s that are so huge it’s hard to put into words. The ending was 100% perfect. Go read this book!
This novel is beautifully written. Reading from a child’s perspective often doesn’t come across as authentic, but this felt so incredibly real. Fidel’s pain at 6 years old and through his early childhood was palpable. Fidel’s story, set in the West Indies, educated me on many issues I will never experience or be able to truly comprehend. The first person narrative made the experience intimate while exploring themes and complexity’s that are so huge it’s hard to put into words. The ending was 100% perfect. Go read this book!
October 27, 2025
What a beautiful book! Robert de la Chevotiere writes about difficult topics in such an elegant and poetic way. I've been looking to read more books about the Afrolatino experience, and this was a great introduction. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this author.
Chevotiere does an amazing job of writing complex characters that feel real. The ending of Fidel's story felt so deserved, given everything he went through.
I really appreciated how much Chevotiere celebrated the various mothers/mother figures in Fidel's life. Through his writing, you can see that Chevotiere really values the mothers in his life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the ARC!
Chevotiere does an amazing job of writing complex characters that feel real. The ending of Fidel's story felt so deserved, given everything he went through.
I really appreciated how much Chevotiere celebrated the various mothers/mother figures in Fidel's life. Through his writing, you can see that Chevotiere really values the mothers in his life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the ARC!
January 14, 2026
Amazing read, I loved the perspective, I could Empathize ❤️
December 29, 2025
4.5 -4.75
June 17, 2025
54% dnf
на жаль, у мене були великі надії на книгу, яка обіцяла роздуми про католиків, бананову індустрію та магічний реалізм, а по факту це збірка безперервних злочинів, в яких гинуть всі жінки родини Фіделя, але останній цвях у цю труну забили розмови про батька, який вбив матір Фіделя, і хлопець такий — норм, я такий же.
і це проблема.
але також я думаю, що ці теми достатньо і глибоко дослідили "Рибалки" Обіоми (про прокляття родини) та оповідання Manifest Пемі Аґуди (про те, чому ми чинимо так, як чинимо). і хоч мені дуже цікаво про Домінікану, але все це лише фон, і я не хочу мучити ані себе, ані книгу, автор якої не вдається в глибокі роздуми жодної з тем, але травми продукує, наче не собі.
на жаль, у мене були великі надії на книгу, яка обіцяла роздуми про католиків, бананову індустрію та магічний реалізм, а по факту це збірка безперервних злочинів, в яких гинуть всі жінки родини Фіделя, але останній цвях у цю труну забили розмови про батька, який вбив матір Фіделя, і хлопець такий — норм, я такий же.
і це проблема.
але також я думаю, що ці теми достатньо і глибоко дослідили "Рибалки" Обіоми (про прокляття родини) та оповідання Manifest Пемі Аґуди (про те, чому ми чинимо так, як чинимо). і хоч мені дуже цікаво про Домінікану, але все це лише фон, і я не хочу мучити ані себе, ані книгу, автор якої не вдається в глибокі роздуми жодної з тем, але травми продукує, наче не собі.
November 19, 2025
I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
Coming-of-age story set in Guadeloupe and Dominica, about a boy who experiences a lot of violence as a child and also has the ability to talk to some spirits of dead people. Despite the surprisingly large amount of violence and death in this book, it's also a compelling and sometimes touching portrait of a boy who survives a lot of hardship in his childhood and manages to overcome it to find a way towards success and happiness in adulthood.
Fidel, the narrator, witnesses his mother and uncle being murdered when he's six years old in Guadeloupe, which sends him to nearby Dominica to live with various relatives, learning of family history he didn't know before. He survives more violence and also struggles with his visions of dead spirits visiting him. The violence is at times a bit extreme, and yet it didn't really put me off of reading the book. The prose is well-written and descriptive, and the plot moves along at a good pace, even outside of the big violent moments. The characters feel real, in their various flaws and their relationships with each other. Even the big villain in the book that seems so extreme in their villainy turns out to have reasons, however far-fetched they are, for it. I also really appreciated that Fidel's relationships with women are never neat and tidy love stories, and they feel real in their difficulties and complexities.
The book also incorporates a lot of history into the book about Guadeloupe and Dominica, including discussions about colonialism and also the collapse of the banana industry in the 20th century. There's also discussion about racism and sexism, about religion and spirituality, and the strong bonds of family and community. The part I did have a slight problem with, though, was one part in Canada, where Fidel goes to a professor's house for dinner, and the professor and students have a discussion about race and colonialism that feels preachy and unnatural. It feels overly didactic instead of feeling like natural conversation, which was disappointing given that the rest of the book had much more real-sounding conversations between people.
I enjoyed this book, even though it is quite violent at times, and Fidel witnesses and experiences a shocking amount of violence at a young age. But it effectively incorporates Caribbean history, discussions about racism and colonialism and other themes, and also the complexities of real love, all into a well-written, interesting coming-of-age story. Aside from some overly didactic parts that I wished could have had more natural dialogue, I was quite impressed by this book.
Coming-of-age story set in Guadeloupe and Dominica, about a boy who experiences a lot of violence as a child and also has the ability to talk to some spirits of dead people. Despite the surprisingly large amount of violence and death in this book, it's also a compelling and sometimes touching portrait of a boy who survives a lot of hardship in his childhood and manages to overcome it to find a way towards success and happiness in adulthood.
Fidel, the narrator, witnesses his mother and uncle being murdered when he's six years old in Guadeloupe, which sends him to nearby Dominica to live with various relatives, learning of family history he didn't know before. He survives more violence and also struggles with his visions of dead spirits visiting him. The violence is at times a bit extreme, and yet it didn't really put me off of reading the book. The prose is well-written and descriptive, and the plot moves along at a good pace, even outside of the big violent moments. The characters feel real, in their various flaws and their relationships with each other. Even the big villain in the book that seems so extreme in their villainy turns out to have reasons, however far-fetched they are, for it. I also really appreciated that Fidel's relationships with women are never neat and tidy love stories, and they feel real in their difficulties and complexities.
The book also incorporates a lot of history into the book about Guadeloupe and Dominica, including discussions about colonialism and also the collapse of the banana industry in the 20th century. There's also discussion about racism and sexism, about religion and spirituality, and the strong bonds of family and community. The part I did have a slight problem with, though, was one part in Canada, where Fidel goes to a professor's house for dinner, and the professor and students have a discussion about race and colonialism that feels preachy and unnatural. It feels overly didactic instead of feeling like natural conversation, which was disappointing given that the rest of the book had much more real-sounding conversations between people.
I enjoyed this book, even though it is quite violent at times, and Fidel witnesses and experiences a shocking amount of violence at a young age. But it effectively incorporates Caribbean history, discussions about racism and colonialism and other themes, and also the complexities of real love, all into a well-written, interesting coming-of-age story. Aside from some overly didactic parts that I wished could have had more natural dialogue, I was quite impressed by this book.
August 1, 2025
Synopsis:
Growing up in Guadeloupe with his mother and Uncle, living an idyllic Caribbean life, is all young Fidel knows. Until one day, the gadèt-zafè comes to visit his mother and tells her she will die soon. Fidel’s life is forever changed. He returns to his mother’s native island of Dominica where he begins the journey of finding out his true story, lineage and connection to the land.
Book Stats:
288 pages
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books
Pub Date: Oct 28 2025
Format: Kindle (eArc) for NetGalley
Themes:
Coming of age
Immigration
Colonialism effects in the Caribbean
Obeah and magical realism
Fun Fact:
Waitukubui is the orginal name for Dominica, given by the Kalinago (Caribs). It translates to “tall is her body”, likely inspired by the island’s mountainous landscape. The author magically weaves this title into both his love of the island and the woman he loves.
Overall, this was a solid 4 stars! It definitely requires thoughtful reading and is paced slowly. I struggled in the beginning with the pacing and how plainly the story read at times, but the pacing along with the character depth really begins to speed up halfway throughout the book coinciding with Fidel’s immigration experience. I enjoyed the descriptions of the lush island settings and how the author wrote so beautifully with his connection to the island. The concept and his relationship with Obeah/seeing spirits was a fresh, unique theme I found captivating. The ending was wrapped up in a perfect bow: a cumulation of his sense of belonging, love of his island and the woman he loves. Great debut! Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Expected publication date is Oct 28 2025.
Growing up in Guadeloupe with his mother and Uncle, living an idyllic Caribbean life, is all young Fidel knows. Until one day, the gadèt-zafè comes to visit his mother and tells her she will die soon. Fidel’s life is forever changed. He returns to his mother’s native island of Dominica where he begins the journey of finding out his true story, lineage and connection to the land.
Book Stats:
288 pages
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books
Pub Date: Oct 28 2025
Format: Kindle (eArc) for NetGalley
Themes:
Coming of age
Immigration
Colonialism effects in the Caribbean
Obeah and magical realism
Fun Fact:
Waitukubui is the orginal name for Dominica, given by the Kalinago (Caribs). It translates to “tall is her body”, likely inspired by the island’s mountainous landscape. The author magically weaves this title into both his love of the island and the woman he loves.
Overall, this was a solid 4 stars! It definitely requires thoughtful reading and is paced slowly. I struggled in the beginning with the pacing and how plainly the story read at times, but the pacing along with the character depth really begins to speed up halfway throughout the book coinciding with Fidel’s immigration experience. I enjoyed the descriptions of the lush island settings and how the author wrote so beautifully with his connection to the island. The concept and his relationship with Obeah/seeing spirits was a fresh, unique theme I found captivating. The ending was wrapped up in a perfect bow: a cumulation of his sense of belonging, love of his island and the woman he loves. Great debut! Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Expected publication date is Oct 28 2025.
December 5, 2025
I would recommend this haunting story for those who loved Demon Copperhead. It has those similar themes of poverty and family dysfunction in a rural setting. This book also primarily addresses other themes, such as post-colonialism, identity, faith, misogyny, and systemic racism.
This isn’t a book I would typically read (similarly, I didn’t actually like Demon Copperhead). I found Tall is Her Body depressing and hard to get through. Despite not being my cup of tea, I can appreciate the themes and that it was well-written.
** I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This isn’t a book I would typically read (similarly, I didn’t actually like Demon Copperhead). I found Tall is Her Body depressing and hard to get through. Despite not being my cup of tea, I can appreciate the themes and that it was well-written.
** I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
June 5, 2025
For someone with a short attention span for reading, I couldn’t put this down! I was immediately drawn into the story and quickly became invested in Fidel’s journey. A beautiful, moving story of heartbreak and love.
October 16, 2025
Robert de la Chevotiere bared his soul!
Tall is Her Body is a beautiful story full of grief and perseverance. I highly recommend Tall is Her Body to all readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Tall is Her Body is a beautiful story full of grief and perseverance. I highly recommend Tall is Her Body to all readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
October 30, 2025
poetic and graceful book that handles some difficult topics. would recommend. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
November 19, 2025
Very emotional. Worth reading.
February 6, 2026
4.5 rounded up
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews