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Kingston : A Cultural and Literary History
Book by Howard, David
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
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July 14, 2017
Impressive, below-the-radar effort. Interesting in that while not a history of Kingston per se, it combines history, literature, culture and skillful writing to come close to that and serves as a valuable, penetrating and extremely well-written survey of both Jamaica's capital, its cultural offerings, and the country itself.
As there are no press quotes, the publisher probably didn't have much of a marketing budget so it seems to me that this important document sadly came and went, failing to garner the praise it deserves. It is in my opinion worthy of occupying space in the slim pantheon of non-fiction about Kingston and Jamaica that includes Born Fi Dead and The Dead Yard.
Howard did his homework with the literary and other research on this fascinating subject, bringing numerous works of prose and poetry from both Jamaican and non-Jamaican authors to the proceedings. If you are interested in Kingston, Jamaica or the Caribbean, you will hopefully find this as absorbing, useful and valuable as I did.
Howard does an impressive job in covering not only the main points of Jamaica's chaotic capital from its slavery origins of 17th century Port Royal to the woe-ridden present. Punctuated by colorful, evocative and transcendent insights from noted Jamaican writers, he brings up issues of race, class and colonialism endemic not just to Jamaica but to the Caribbean and the African diaspora.
I don't know how many books have been written specifically about Kingston, but this and "Kingston Jamaica: Urban Development and Social Change 1692-2002" (which I have not read) are the only examples on the subject I can see on Amazon. Until someone writes a comprehensive history these two works will probably have to suffice, but please don't let my lament regarding the scarcity of writing on this subject detract from this being highly enjoyable reading on what is an engrossing albeit occasionally depressing subject.
I have been to Kingston over ten times, both Downtown and Uptown, and Howard pretty much nails it with economy and style as he opens doors to further reading with the numerous, often vivid quotes. With its excellent survey of Jamaica's cultural assets, this fascinating cross-cultural endeavor would make an ideal companion to a travel guide for the thorough/intrepid traveler.
As there are no press quotes, the publisher probably didn't have much of a marketing budget so it seems to me that this important document sadly came and went, failing to garner the praise it deserves. It is in my opinion worthy of occupying space in the slim pantheon of non-fiction about Kingston and Jamaica that includes Born Fi Dead and The Dead Yard.
Howard did his homework with the literary and other research on this fascinating subject, bringing numerous works of prose and poetry from both Jamaican and non-Jamaican authors to the proceedings. If you are interested in Kingston, Jamaica or the Caribbean, you will hopefully find this as absorbing, useful and valuable as I did.
Howard does an impressive job in covering not only the main points of Jamaica's chaotic capital from its slavery origins of 17th century Port Royal to the woe-ridden present. Punctuated by colorful, evocative and transcendent insights from noted Jamaican writers, he brings up issues of race, class and colonialism endemic not just to Jamaica but to the Caribbean and the African diaspora.
I don't know how many books have been written specifically about Kingston, but this and "Kingston Jamaica: Urban Development and Social Change 1692-2002" (which I have not read) are the only examples on the subject I can see on Amazon. Until someone writes a comprehensive history these two works will probably have to suffice, but please don't let my lament regarding the scarcity of writing on this subject detract from this being highly enjoyable reading on what is an engrossing albeit occasionally depressing subject.
I have been to Kingston over ten times, both Downtown and Uptown, and Howard pretty much nails it with economy and style as he opens doors to further reading with the numerous, often vivid quotes. With its excellent survey of Jamaica's cultural assets, this fascinating cross-cultural endeavor would make an ideal companion to a travel guide for the thorough/intrepid traveler.
Displaying 1 of 1 review