Slipstream: A Daughter Remembers

by Rachel Manley

The daughter of a late prime minister of Jamaica evaluates his political legacy and the last half-year of his life, remembering the challenges he posed to her throughout her childhood and adulthood, the ways in which his career continually tested family bonds, and his role in promoting radical social reform in the 1970s. Original.

Genres: Autobiography

317 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Rachel Manley is the author of the memoir Drumblair: Memories of a Jamaican Childhood, which won the Governor General’s Award for Non-fiction in 1997, and Slipstream: A Daughter Remembers. She has also published three books of poetry and edited Edna Manley: The Diaries, a collection of her grandmother’s journals. Manley is a New York Public Library Fellow, a Pierre Berton Fellow, a Rockefeller Fellow (Bellagio), and a former Bunting Fellow for Literature at Radcliffe College. She serves on the creative writing faculty at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has won Jamaica’s prestigious Centennial Medal for Poetry. Manley divides her time between Toronto and Jamaica. She has two sons, Drum and Luke.

Reviews

[Maisie Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slipstream

Once I started reading, it was difficult to put the book down to either eat or go to sleep. Rachel is an excellent story teller. The characters are introduced and carried along very effectively to make the stories relatable and truthful. Can’t wait to read more books by Rachel Manley.

[Christa Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A beautifully written memoir that taught me some things about history and politics, while drawing me into the emotional personal story.

[Paige Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language Ms. Manley uses in her writing is so beautiful. Picked this book up just "because it was there". Had no real knowledge or interest in Michael Manley, but was intrigued by the father/daughter relationship. Her telling of those last months of her father's life as well as the memories of her childhoold and grandparents, made this a truly beautiful read.

[Rob & Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Manley looks back at her father's life and their relationship after his death.

Liz