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God's Angry Babies
This coming-of-age novel, by the Bahamanian writer, traces the lives of Tree Bodies and his three brothers as they grow up in the streets of Pompey Village, an area of extreme poverty hidden from the tourists who populate the luxury hotels. Creole conversation lends a distinct flavour.
- Genres20th Century
281 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 23, 2019
I just completed reading "God's Angry Babies" by Ian G. Strachan, a Bahamian playwright and novelist.
This novel is precisely why I launched my international reading project, hoping to discover authors I have never heard of who are creating wonderful written works of note.
Prior to independence from Great Britain, The Bahamas had an almost nonexistent literary tradition as all schoolchildren were educated with traditional British works. Upon achieving independence in 1973, it became culturally critical for Bahamians to find their own voice. Having experienced over 300 years of minority white rule, the black majority, made up of former slaves, colonial settlers and pirates has been undergoing a generational evolution.
Strachan is a member of that second generation who possess greater education and a post-colonial worldview that is more likely to hold the governing elite accountable rather than hold them up as liberation heroes.
"God's Angry Babies" is a novel that tells the story, in both proper English and the Creole vernacular, of that political and cultural evolution.
Though a noted playwright, this was Strachan's first novel. I look forward to future works.
This novel is precisely why I launched my international reading project, hoping to discover authors I have never heard of who are creating wonderful written works of note.
Prior to independence from Great Britain, The Bahamas had an almost nonexistent literary tradition as all schoolchildren were educated with traditional British works. Upon achieving independence in 1973, it became culturally critical for Bahamians to find their own voice. Having experienced over 300 years of minority white rule, the black majority, made up of former slaves, colonial settlers and pirates has been undergoing a generational evolution.
Strachan is a member of that second generation who possess greater education and a post-colonial worldview that is more likely to hold the governing elite accountable rather than hold them up as liberation heroes.
"God's Angry Babies" is a novel that tells the story, in both proper English and the Creole vernacular, of that political and cultural evolution.
Though a noted playwright, this was Strachan's first novel. I look forward to future works.
August 12, 2017
The Bahamas
"Da more tings cheenge da more dey stay da seem damn way."
"He had no idea who he would become once he left home. he was afraid that he had no centre which might keep him strong, keep him whole in the years ahead."
"Da more tings cheenge da more dey stay da seem damn way."
"He had no idea who he would become once he left home. he was afraid that he had no centre which might keep him strong, keep him whole in the years ahead."
October 3, 2015
Not what I expected.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews