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She's Gone
A prominent Jamaican reggae singer falls in love with an African American woman while on tour in South Carolina. The two struggle to forge a relationship across a cultural and psychological divide in a story that spans from Jamaica to South Carolina to New York City.
- GenresFiction
310 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Kwame Dawes
119 books180 followersBorn in Ghana in 1962, Kwame Dawes spent most of his childhood and early adult life in Jamaica . As a poet, he is profoundly influenced by the rhythms and textures of that lush place, citing in a recent interview his "spiritual, intellectual, and emotional engagement with reggae music." His book Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius remains the most authoritative study of the lyrics of Bob Marley.
His 11th collection of verse, Wisteria: Poems From the Swamp Country, was published in January 2006. In February, 2007 Akashic Books published his novel, She's Gone and Peepal Tree Books published his 12th collection of poetry, Impossible Flying, and his non-fiction work, A Far Cry From Plymouth Rock: A Personal Narrative.
His essays have appeared in numerous journals including Bomb Magazine, The London Review of Books, Granta, Essence, World Literature Today and Double Take Magazine.
In October, 2007, his thirteenth book of poems, Gomer's Song will appear on the Black Goat imprint of Akashic Books. Dawes has seen produced some twenty of his plays over the past twenty-five years including, most recently a production of his musical, One Love, at the Lyric Hammersmith in London .
Kwame Dawes is Distinguished Poet in Residence, Louis Frye Scudder Professor of Liberal Arts and Founder and executive Director of the South Carolina Poetry Initiative. He is the director of the University of South Carolina Arts Institute and the programming director of the Calabash International Literary Festival, which takes place in Jamaica in May of each year.
His 11th collection of verse, Wisteria: Poems From the Swamp Country, was published in January 2006. In February, 2007 Akashic Books published his novel, She's Gone and Peepal Tree Books published his 12th collection of poetry, Impossible Flying, and his non-fiction work, A Far Cry From Plymouth Rock: A Personal Narrative.
His essays have appeared in numerous journals including Bomb Magazine, The London Review of Books, Granta, Essence, World Literature Today and Double Take Magazine.
In October, 2007, his thirteenth book of poems, Gomer's Song will appear on the Black Goat imprint of Akashic Books. Dawes has seen produced some twenty of his plays over the past twenty-five years including, most recently a production of his musical, One Love, at the Lyric Hammersmith in London .
Kwame Dawes is Distinguished Poet in Residence, Louis Frye Scudder Professor of Liberal Arts and Founder and executive Director of the South Carolina Poetry Initiative. He is the director of the University of South Carolina Arts Institute and the programming director of the Calabash International Literary Festival, which takes place in Jamaica in May of each year.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 10, 2012
Excerpted from the full review:
"I’ve seen several volumes of Dawes’ poetry collections lining local bookstore shelves, but reading She’s Gone, a Caribbean mystic-meets-American urbane love story, is the first true interaction I’ve had with his work.
One sizzling Southern Carolina night, the paths of Kofi, a Jamaican roots reggae man, and Keisha, an American sex and gender researcher, intersect. This book is about how they come to each other, come for each other, how they live together, as well as how they manage (or fail to do so) apart.
I confess, the novel irritated me profoundly at intervals, particularly in both the portrayal of Keisha’s character, as well as the stiflingly familiar revisited relationship rubrics for two passionate souls. All the elements of a rollicking Tyler Perry screenplay/film seem firmly established."
You can continue reading my full review of She's Gone at Novel Niche! :)
"I’ve seen several volumes of Dawes’ poetry collections lining local bookstore shelves, but reading She’s Gone, a Caribbean mystic-meets-American urbane love story, is the first true interaction I’ve had with his work.
One sizzling Southern Carolina night, the paths of Kofi, a Jamaican roots reggae man, and Keisha, an American sex and gender researcher, intersect. This book is about how they come to each other, come for each other, how they live together, as well as how they manage (or fail to do so) apart.
I confess, the novel irritated me profoundly at intervals, particularly in both the portrayal of Keisha’s character, as well as the stiflingly familiar revisited relationship rubrics for two passionate souls. All the elements of a rollicking Tyler Perry screenplay/film seem firmly established."
You can continue reading my full review of She's Gone at Novel Niche! :)
May 26, 2019
In She's Gone Kwame Dawes explores the relationship between Kofi and Keisha. Kofi is the front man for a reggae band touring the United States. On one of his tours he meets Keisha and they hit it off immediately, so much so, Keisha decides to leave her home in South Carolina, her job and move to Jamaica to be with Kofi. Things do not go as planned for these two characters and Keisha must now try to figure out how to live in Kofi's Jamaica.
This is my first book by Kwame Dawes and I know I will be reading more of his works. I love how genuine the characters were and how Dawes explored mental illness in a refreshing way. I am a sucker for a good romantic story... it did get a bit eye rolling in some parts but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
A solid three stars.
This is my first book by Kwame Dawes and I know I will be reading more of his works. I love how genuine the characters were and how Dawes explored mental illness in a refreshing way. I am a sucker for a good romantic story... it did get a bit eye rolling in some parts but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
A solid three stars.
January 17, 2019
This book perfectly captures the loneliness and complexity of romantic relationships.
October 19, 2019
Started out as a promising romance and deteriorated in to barely readable.
December 2, 2020
The last 33 pages of the book were everything. Best part of the story.
July 18, 2009
The first part of the book was engaging as the story unfoled it became less and less. When it unfolded that she was pregnant I was no longer interested, that just seemed like the easiest route for the author to take and I was dissapointed when it happened. There never seemed to be any kind of serious love match between the two characters, which is fine but then there has to be enough of a plot to keep interest. The ending sucked I was expecting better.
October 31, 2012
I bought this book at Kristin's bookshop in St. George's (Go check it out if you haven't already)!
Kwame Dawes spoke at Bermuda College awhile back and impressed me. Thought I would try this novel.
It was equal parts trashy, simple, layered, quick and delicious.
it felt like i was indulging a guilty pleasure the whole time i was reading .... and I enjoyed it :)
Kwame Dawes spoke at Bermuda College awhile back and impressed me. Thought I would try this novel.
It was equal parts trashy, simple, layered, quick and delicious.
it felt like i was indulging a guilty pleasure the whole time i was reading .... and I enjoyed it :)
June 26, 2008
A debut novel about a cross-cultural relationship- set in NY, American South and Cariggean. Psychological, cultural, gender issues, all beautifully written. Ghanizn born Jamaican author.
February 27, 2011
Spoiler alert: Story of a passionate love affair between an unstable musician from Jamaica and a female professor from the American South. Their relationship causes them to face some of their demons before they can move forward together -- at least for the time being.
Strange and haunting.
Strange and haunting.
Read
December 2, 2008Great poetic realistic writing. Fierce prose.
August 22, 2010
Captivating book about an international, intercultural romance that is by no means a fairytale.
August 27, 2013
most of the time I felt like I just wanted to get through it but not for the right reasons
December 5, 2013
Again it's been awhile but I enjoyed it, and I actually have a signed copy. :)
December 28, 2015
Full review on BanditBookReviews.wordpress.com
Loved the book. I think if you're not curious about Jamaican/AfAm culture or familiar with it, you may not like this book.
It ain't for everybody.
Loved the book. I think if you're not curious about Jamaican/AfAm culture or familiar with it, you may not like this book.
It ain't for everybody.
January 16, 2017
Interesting story, but a little too slow at times. It seemed to stall a bit in the middle and towards the end.
March 30, 2023
The book was a good read!👍🏾
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews