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careinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I read it and then sat there and reread large portions again right after. It is perfect in form and function. Searing criticism of colonialism, white supremacy, capitalism, and tourism in both overt and covert ways. From the larger ideas and arguments she's making to the subtle turns of phrase, this is so effective and masterful. I read this because of @ifthisisparadise's Jamaica Kincaid book club and I'm so glad I decided to join in because Kiki is providing so many insightful details that enrich the experience further.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Colonisation
friendlypoet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
theliteraryteapot's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This essay, A Small Place, is a very well written literary portrayal of Antigua, where the author Jamaica Kincaid was born and grew up.
The first section is mainly written in the second person singular and I really liked it. The author is directly talking to white people, in particular tourists.
The author definitely does not hold back, she had things to say and is very honest. There is so much anger, which she explains by talking about colonisation, corruption, tourism, the way Antiguans have constantly been treated. But there's clearly much love as well, for her native country.
I also appreciated the preface Jamaica Kincaid wrote for the 2018 edition. She gave a glimpse of the publishing history and reception of the essay.
This is a quick read I recommend to everyone.
The first section is mainly written in the second person singular and I really liked it. The author is directly talking to white people, in particular tourists.
The author definitely does not hold back, she had things to say and is very honest. There is so much anger, which she explains by talking about colonisation, corruption, tourism, the way Antiguans have constantly been treated. But there's clearly much love as well, for her native country.
I also appreciated the preface Jamaica Kincaid wrote for the 2018 edition. She gave a glimpse of the publishing history and reception of the essay.
This is a quick read I recommend to everyone.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Colonisation
gabriellesimpson's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Slavery
moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Beautifully written and powerful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Colonisation
grboph's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I read this book for a class I took about the Gullah Geechee community (specifically the section of the course that was about the ethics of travel and tourism). This book made me think much harder than I previously had about the impact that I leave on the world when I travel and how I, as a white person, continue to benefit from colonization and imperialism. While it was not an uplifting read, I am very glad I read it as I think Kincaid's voice is a very important one and this story is one that needs to be told, especially to people in more developed countries. I would recommend this book to anybody who lives in a country that has benefited from colonization or slavery, or anyone who goes on vacation and wants to know more about the impact their vacations leave on the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Trafficking, Cultural appropriation, and Classism
Minor: Genocide and Racial slurs
Much of the content in the book centers around colonization and its many impacts, including racism, slavery, classism, and poverty.sillyduckie's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
isobelvaisanen's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
f18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Colonisation
Moderate: Slavery and Murder
Minor: Genocide
mention of eugenics