Caribbean writer Lovelace, whose Salt won the 1997 Commonwealth
Writer's Prize, returns with a story (first published in England in
1979) that offers a defining and luminously sensitive portrait of
postcolonial island life. The island in question is recently
independent Trinidad, but it could be any Caribbean island settled
by European planters, African slaves, and indentured East Indians.
Carnival time is at hand, and the inhabitants of the Hill, former
slaves, who "survive here, holding their poverty as a possession,"
are getting ready for this Mardi Gras - like celebration: Steel
bands are practicing, calypso singers and writers - like the
diffident Philo - are creating new songs, and Aldrick Prospect, as
usual, is working on his dragon costume. Aldrick, who, like most of
the men, is unemployed, comes alive at Carnival, where it's his
mission to do the Dragon dance, a dance that expresses all the
people's frustrations and memories of their warrior past, and
affirms their power - power that, if provoked, could bum down the
city. But this year Aldrick, who's spumed the advances of young
Sylvia, finds himself brooding. Change is in the air - those steel
bands are acquiring commercial sponsors, the old fighting spirit of
the people is changing to passive acceptance, and Aldrick's friends
are drifting away and making new lives. After Carnival, Aldfick,
feeling like "the last symbol of rebellion," continues to brood,
especially when he sees Sylvia take up with Guy, a notorious
womanizer. He befriends Fisheye, an angry radical, and joins a
futile rebellion against the government. Aldrick is jailed but,
unlike the others, doesn't accept defeat, and once released - still
depressed - he returns to the Hill. Finally, a quiet epiphany and a
promise of Sylvia's affection present him with hope and reason
enough to give up the impotent protest of the Dragon's dance. A
poignant, beautifully crafted tale about a man and his country on
the cusp of change. (Kirkus Reviews)
'A landmark, not in the West Indian, but in the contemporary
novel.' C. L. R. James 'First-class talent.' The Voice Calvary Hill
- poverty stricken, pot-holed and rubbish-strewn - is home to an
ignored community who get to flaunt their personas in masquerade
during the yearly town Carnival. Aldrick, the dashing "king of the
hill" lives for Carnival and his chance to play the powerful
dragon. But as his friends and neighbours strive for a better life,
for Aldrick it will take one more masquerade - this time involving
guns and hostages - for the illusion of power to become reality.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
