Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

This thread is for the discussion of Brother by David Chariandy.

The book discussion will begin on Friday, September 14, 2018

Thanks, Beverly!

David Chariandy is Canadian of course. Has anyone previously read any Canadian writers of color? I think Chariandy will be my very first.

Chariandy’s wiki:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David...

Be on the look-out for these Canadian writers this year:
https://www.cbc.ca/books/6-black-cana...

Black Canadian Writers (ok, according to this list I’ve filled my requirement because I’ve read Malcolm Gladwell? Hmmm):
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categ...

These are the Canadian authors I've read since I started tracking my reading in goodreads:
-Cherie Dimaline
-Kyo Maclear
-Terese Marie Mailhot
-Chieri Uegaki
-Thomas King
-Rupi Kaur
-Katherena Vermette
-Nalo Hopkinson
-Scaachi Koul
-Fonda Lee
-Austin Clarke
-Lawrence Hill
-Silvia Moreno-Garcia
-Andre Alexis
-Eden Robinson
-Melanie Florence
-Janie Chang
-Jody Nyasha Warner
-Jen Sookfong Lee
-Lynne Kutsukake
-Mariko Tamaki
-Ruth Ozeki
-Rabindranath Maharaj
-Rawi Hage
-Sydney Padua
-M.G. Vassanji
-Kim Thuy
-Kerri Sakamoto

Columbus wrote: "Thanks, Beverly!

David Chariandy is Canadian of course. Has anyone previously read any Canadian writers of color? I think Chariandy will be my very first.

Chariandy’s wiki:
https://en.m.wikipedia..."

I have read quite a few Canadian AOC - Black, Asian & First Nation.

This weekend I am hoping to start reading Washington Black by Esi Edugyan (Black Canadian).

Lata wrote: "These are the Canadian authors I've read since I started tracking my reading in goodreads:
-Cherie Dimaline
-Kyo Maclear
-Terese Marie Mailhot
-Chieri Uegaki
-Thomas King
-Rupi Kaur
-Katherena Verm..."

Wow!

I've read a couple, but honestly, what I'm best at is augmenting my Canadian author TBR and not actually picking any of their novels to read and reading them. Points for self-awareness, but I'm seeking to incrementally improve and Brother is a good start. Plus, I'm honestly delighted to read it and not checking a box off of a list or going along with a group read reluctantly.

Lata wrote: "These are the Canadian authors I've read since I started tracking my reading in goodreads:
-Cherie Dimaline
-Kyo Maclear
-Terese Marie Mailhot
-Chieri Uegaki
-Thomas King
-Rupi Kaur
-Katherena Verm..."

Lata, are you familiar with Dionne Brand or read anything about her? I just ask because I’ve been running across her name a lot recently and was unfamiliar with her body of work.

Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Thanks, Beverly!

David Chariandy is Canadian of course. Has anyone previously read any Canadian writers of color? I think Chariandy will be my very first.

Chariandy’s wiki:
https..."

I'm looking forward to seeing your take on this one, Beverly. Reactions among my GR friends have been highly variable and no one has written a review that gives me enough details to get a sense of whether I'd be on the 5-star end or the 1-star.

Lata wrote: "These are the Canadian authors I've read since I started tracking my reading in goodreads:
-Cherie Dimaline
-Kyo Maclear
-Terese Marie Mailhot
-Chieri Uegaki
-Thomas King
-Rupi Kaur
-Katherena Verm..."

@Lata - that's an impressive list. I bow to you.

Nah, Carol, no need to bow. I have an advantage getting at books by Canadian authors, being in Canada.

Carol wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Thanks, Beverly!

David Chariandy is Canadian of course. Has anyone previously read any Canadian writers of color? I think Chariandy will be my very first.

Charian..."

I am so slow about writing reviews/comments.
I am trying to do better. It seems I finish a book and then get caught up in writing another. I just need to be more disciplined.

I am anxious to see what other think about Brothers. I am thinking it will probably be on Best Books list for 2018.

Ok, let’s read up to page 33 which is all of chapter 1. Once you finish it you can comment on it. Sunday (14th) we'll resume.

Columbus wrote: "Lata wrote: "These are the Canadian authors I've read since I started tracking my reading in goodreads:
-Cherie Dimaline
-Kyo Maclear
-Terese Marie Mailhot
-Chieri Uegaki
-Thomas King
-Rupi Kaur
-K..."

I have read one of Dionne Brand's books - What We All Long For abd have two more on my bookshelf - At the Full and Change of the Moon and In Another Place, Not Here.

These two articles about Chariandy were published in connection with his latest book, I've Been Meaning to Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter , so include no spoilers for our book. I enjoyed both and liked beginning to get a sense of Chariandy as a person before starting Brother.

May 18, 2018 The Globe and Mail:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/...

and May 29, 2018 Macleans,

https://www.macleans.ca/culture/books...

For one thing, I thought he was one of those "30 superstars under 30" talents, whom we so often see promoted. NTTAWWT.

Thank you for sharing those articles, Carol. I've read the Globe article when the book was released, and immediately knew I had to read "I've Been Meaning to Tell You".

Lata wrote: "Thank you for sharing those articles, Carol. I've read the Globe article when the book was released, and immediately knew I had to read "I've Been Meaning to Tell You"."

Have you read it ?

On page 4:

... [It's true, she does look good. The same dark skin haunted with red, the same hair she once scorned as 'mongrel.' But it's been ten years since last we've spoken. And in the silence thick between us it feels like even the smallest dishonesty will ruin this reconnection.

The last sentence I loved and rang true. The first part I'm raising an eyebrow to. It's fine as far as it goes, but - when you first see someone you haven't seen in a decade - even if the years have treated them kindly, and even if they are a past love (we don't yet know the narrator's relationship to Aisha), all of us first notice signs of aging. We may immediately conclude that those signs of aging are trivial/unimportant, or don't diminish attractiveness, but still we notice them without fail. Pointing out only that her hair and skin are as remembered ignores that all-too-human and -common analysis. I would like to have heard more of our narrator's (Michael's) thoughts on seeing Aisha for the first time in ten years - this "neighborhood girl no longer." I would learn from that at least as much about Michael as I would about Aisha.

As is, at least at this point, she comes across distant, mysterious, flat.

On pages 10 - 11, the description of Michael's mother is so full and recognizable.

She was also one of those black mothers, unwilling to either seek or accept help from others. Unwilling to suffer any small blow to her sense of independence or her vision of eventual arrival.

There was tenderness in the dishes she prepared, love in a dish made perfect with the fruity bite of Scotch bonnet. But by the time she started putting on her coat and shoes, she would be in a state, exhausted, almost overcome with guilt, yet expressing it in bitter scoldings and fantastic threats. Her voice, schooled harshly in the Queen's English, now articulating threats mined from the deepest hells of history.

No A-Team or Mrs. T or any other gangster foolishness in my home. ... I will string you up by your thumbnails from the ceiling. I will skin you alive and screaming. I will beat you so hard your children will bear scars. Your children's children will feel!

I can imagine and hear her voice as she departs for her shift.

and then at the end of Chapter One:

The combination of sweat and glare made her face shine like a mask, and she looked a bit like an actor who'd stumbled accidentally only a stage and who now, too late, had to figure out her role.

She tried to do everything right. Yet here she is, experiencing the same despair, horror, worry and humiliation as many a parent who hasn't done everything right, as middle-class Western folk commonly define that term. I can almost feel the eyes of all of the neighborhood on her as the cops deliver her sons home to her, and her boys weren't even involved in the immediate shooting. But they were a part of the night's events.

Carol wrote: "On pages 10 - 11, the description of Michael's mother is so full and recognizable.

She was also one of those black mothers, unwilling to either seek or accept help from others. Unwilling to suffer..."

This resounded so clearly for me and it harkened back to my childhood for sure. I loved how the boys sort of circumvented her instructions by not letting anyone in but going out instead. Yeh, sure, like you aren’t going to get a spanking for trying to be smart.

The prose is quite poetic at times, particularly the first couple of pages. I know his debut is a novel and the f/u to this is a memoir. Didn’t notice any poetry offerings though.

Currently reading along on page 14 in my cozy book nook wondering what Chariandy has in store for me....

Columbus wrote: "Carol wrote: "On pages 10 - 11, the description of Michael's mother is so full and recognizable.

She was also one of those black mothers, unwilling to either seek or accept help from others. Unwil..."

I just finished Chapter 1. Things got real, real fast there. I don't think I'm going to be able to stop and wait, thought. Chapter 2 is beckoning.

Carol wrote: "These two articles about Chariandy were published in connection with his latest book, I've Been Meaning to Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter[bookcover:I've Been Meaning to Tell You:..."

Thanks for sharing this information- very interesting.

Canada so close yet depending on the publisher it seems so far away at times.

Carol wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Carol wrote: "On pages 10 - 11, the description of Michael's mother is so full and recognizable.

She was also one of those black mothers, unwilling to either seek or accept help f..."

I understand- I was drawn into this book and it seemed I was always saying- just one more chapter.

I'm going to set the book I'm currently reading so I can start Brother tonight--it sounds so good from the excerpts you've included, Carol.

And in response to your earlier question, Carol, no, I haven't read Chariandy's latest, but really want to. My library has it, and his first novel, Soucouyant, both of which I want to check out.

Finished chapter one. What I'm most struck by is the gentle humanity of Michael's voice, even as he gradually takes us from the warmth and love in his home when he's little, to the harshness of life outside its walls.

I love the nostalgic humor in his voice too - "...the lurking threat of Anne Murray's "Snowbird" 45. Even little Michael sensed that was not cool, although as he got older, Francis had to step in over ...the growing concern over my cultural tastes." like air drumming to Rush and drawing elves.

The author is setting me up to break my heart....

The writing's beautiful.

Nadine wrote: "Finished chapter one. What I'm most struck by is the gentle humanity of Michael's voice, even as he gradually takes us from the warmth and love in his home when he's little, to the harshness of lif..."

I loved that section, and totally understood Francis’ concern. I thought we were being set up for a subsequent revelation about Michael’s sexuality, but guessed wrong. I’m so glad gay men aren’t being tagged with either an appreciation of Rush or Ms Murray’s music.

Lord, I recall in the 1970s every tv commercial for some random album or, don’t cringe, 8-track, collection of hit songs featured Snowbird. Murray was the artist every parent loved and hoped (to no avail) that their teen would appreciate.

I hated that Snowbird song. The radio station my parents listened to was primarily a news station, and had a playlist that seemed to be about 4 songs long. They'd alternate through these songs and Snowbird was one of the them.)

Carol wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Finished chapter one. What I'm most struck by is the gentle humanity of Michael's voice, even as he gradually takes us from the warmth and love in his home when he's little, to the h..."

Carol, I thought the exact same thing. I thought, wait a minute I don’t recall anyone mentioning a gay angle to this book. It lasted for all of two or three paragraphs though. We’ll see if anything happens further n in the book. I must say, I hate when authors add a gay or any sexuality trope when it really has little to do with the story; when they throw the kitchen sink at you to see what’ll take.

Read that first chapter in no time. NO TIME. Would it be ok if we add chapters 2 & 3 to be read by the 18th?

As I already started chap 2 earlier today that works for me.

Ok, we have Lata on board. Lol

Columbus wrote: "Read that first chapter in no time. NO TIME. Would it be ok if we add chapters 2 & 3 to be read by the 18th?"

Yes, please, I finished chapter two last evening.

If the book sample provided by Amazon and Apple iBooks ends at chapter one, then they are likely to sell a lot of books. Who wants to stop reading there?! I swear I wanted to continue reading but I’m the one decided this would be a classic read-a-long.

Dang.

The 2nd and third chapters up to the 18th.

I just finished chapter 3. Let’s see:

The book sort of feels a little YA to me. There are some books that have teenage protagonist(s) that are geared for that particular demographic and then you have the others with more complex themes geared for adults. This is sort of in the middle for me.

The book is moving sort of slow for me, to be honest. I just figure it’ll pick up later in the book. The author is giving you only so much right now:
-What’s Francis up to? Where is he and what prompted him to leave?
-Is the author making Aisha a less sympathetic character to only do a 180 and make her more likable later in the book? Not particularly enamored at how she’s come into their lives and instinctively making these decisions and all.
-What’s up with the daddy? Now that’s what I really want to know. Really intriguing.

I do like “the park” and Scarborough. How the city/neighborhoods play a role in the story.

Carol wrote: "Lord, I recall in the 1970s every tv commercial for some random album or, don’t cringe, 8-track, collection of hit songs featured Snowbird. Murray was the artist every parent loved and hoped (to no avail) that their teen would appreciate.

Dammit, now The Captain and Teneille are earworming me :( We are in dangerous musical territory.

Columbus wrote: "I must say, I hate when authors add a gay or any sexuality trope when it really has little to do with the story; when they throw the kitchen sink at you to see what’ll take. "

Or using a gay man as a stereotyped way to show male sensitivity.

Columbus wrote: "I just finished chapter 3. Let’s see:

The book sort of feels a little YA to me. There are some books that have teenage protagonist(s) that are geared for that particular demographic and then you h..."

I'm not having the YA feeling, which would be annoying, but I'm also struggling with figuring out what makes Michael tick. He seems almost too good to be true, given his age and what he's experienced. What does he think about all this? Is he angry? Sad? How does he see his life playing out? Does he want to stay in the Park? Escape it? For what? what is Aisha to him? I expected by the end of Chapter 3 to get some insight into the Michael from the first couple of pages, but I haven't.

Is Francis dead or missing or in jail or in a mental institution or witness protection program or alive and ghosted them? I assumed dead for a while, but then realized the author is deliberately being cagey about what "gone" means.

I don't understand Aisha. She came for her dad, but where did she stay in the week while he was in the hospital and why is she staying with them now? And, I agree, why is she all up in their business about what Michael's mom needs or how she should best interact with her own community? Aisha will be gone again soon and the mom lives here. It seems both disrespectful and odd.

I tried to google a little about the Park, but couldn't get very far in terms of pinning down the specific neighborhood adjacent to the Bridge. Definitely interesting.

I am conflicted about the absent daddy. In a book this short, he either matters a lot or we shouldn't be wasting our time on visits to his doorstep only to rebuffed. If he matters a lot, why and why now?

Nadine wrote: "Carol wrote: "Lord, I recall in the 1970s every tv commercial for some random album or, don’t cringe, 8-track, collection of hit songs featured Snowbird. Murray was the artist every parent loved an..."

How about the Carpenters - Close to You?

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?

Can't you just see Karen in that long-sleeve, beige prairie dress thing? Ha!

Nadine wrote: "Columbus wrote: "I must say, I hate when authors add a gay or any sexuality trope when it really has little to do with the story; when they throw the kitchen sink at you to see what’ll take. "

Or ..."

Grrrrr. The all-purpose sensitive best friend. Just say no, authors.

Carol wrote: "Columbus wrote: "I just finished chapter 3. Let’s see:

The book sort of feels a little YA to me. There are some books that have teenage protagonist(s) that are geared for that particular demograph..."

Well, even with how the author portrays the police officers. Again, a pretty crafty way of not pigeonholing them into good or bad guys. Purposely leaving out or bringing ambiguity to the scenes.

Columbus wrote: "Carol wrote: "Columbus wrote: "I just finished chapter 3. Let’s see:

The book sort of feels a little YA to me. There are some books that have teenage protagonist(s) that are geared for that partic..."

That was elegant, I agree.

Columbus wrote: "David Chariandy is Canadian of course. Has anyone previously read any Canadian writers of color? I think Chariandy will be my very first..."

I just noticed this thread and assumed it was a different booked called Brother that you'd be reading. Yes, this one is Canadian and if you like it you will also like his other book Soucouyant.

I have read many Canadian writers of color, most of them Indigenous but also some very talented black writers (often from the Caribbean), such as:

Austin Clarke (I think this group would really enjoy his book The Polished Hoe)

Dany Laferrière

Dionne Brand

Esi Edugyan (her parents are Ghanaian) who is nominated for this year's Man Booker Prize long list.

Lawrence Hill

to name a few....

Columbus wrote: "I do like “the park” and Scarborough. How the city/neighborhoods play a role in the story."

An even better book than Brother, not to take anything away from it, is Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez. Absolutely fantastic!!! You get a real feel for the place and its people.

Lata wrote: "These are the Canadian authors I've read since I started tracking my reading in goodreads:
-Cherie Dimaline
-Kyo Maclear
-Terese Marie Mailhot
-Chieri Uegaki
-Thomas King
-Rupi Kaur
-Katherena Verm..."

Fabulous list Lata! I thought I read a lot of Canadian lit but there are some names here I have never even heard of. Must go check them out.

Louise wrote: "Columbus wrote: "David Chariandy is Canadian of course. Has anyone previously read any Canadian writers of color? I think Chariandy will be my very first..."

I just noticed this thread and assumed..."

Thanks, Louise! Ok, D. Brand’s name has been brought up quite a bit so I must read her..... When I first joined this group Lawrence Hill The Book of Negroes was all anyone wanted to talk about. It was the discussion book of the month. Maybe under a different title though.....Not familiar with Dany Laferrière but I’m looking him up now.

Louise, one of the authors on my list writes for young children. I read books aimed at all different ages. And as AoC are not published that widely, I don't care who the author's target audience is, I just want to explore what each of these authors has to say.

And I heard Catherine Hernandez's "Scarborough" is really good by one of my library staff pals. We talk books whenever I run into her there.

Dang Laférriere was big in Montreal several years ago, when I was growing up.

Carol wrote: "I'm not having the YA feeling, which would be annoying, but I'm also struggling with figuring out what makes Michael tick. He seems almost too good to be true, given his age and what he's experienced. What does he think about all this? Is he angry? Sad? How does he see his life playing out? Does he want to stay in the Park? Escape it? For what? ..."

I'm liking Michael's slow reveal of his feelings. So far I see him as a caregiver type of person, who's put his own needs on hold now that his brother is gone, working for five years in a dead-end job, just like his mother. I have been assuming that Francis is dead, but now you all have me intrigued by the possibilities.

Carol wrote: "I don't understand Aisha. She came for her dad, but where did she stay in the week while he was in the hospital and why is she staying with them now? And, I agree, why is she all up in their business about what Michael's mom needs or how she should best interact with her own community? Aisha will be gone again soon and the mom lives here. It seems both disrespectful and odd."

I also don't have positive feelings about Aisha so far, forcing her idea of healing on Michael and his mother. Maybe I'll regret that in a few more chapters. Her father died in a different town, so I think that's why she didn't come to Scarborough earlier. I guess she has the money to stay there on her own.