For Joan L. Marshall, there are powerful metaphors buried in the word "mud." Not just the natural material that squelches under a child's bare feet when playing at the beach, but complex memories of coming of age in her native Barbados. Sun, Sky, Sea, and Sometimes Mud is a collection of sixty-two poems that celebrate and honour the author's Barbadian upbringing and Caribbean culture. The words are at once heavy with meaning and transcendent as they add a sensory appeal to the quotidian. Blue sky, warming sun, and a sea rich in fish are all sustenance and memory of Marshall's unpretentious life and her enduring sense of feeling love and belonging.
Like many Barbadians, Marshall's parents immigrated to England in the 1960s to financially support their children, who were commonly cared for by their grandparents. She shares beautifully written snapshots of a life that wasn't always carefree or uncomplicated, while providing clarity and correcting some of the inaccuracies that have been written about Caribbean life. Marshall's prose cuts to the core in this beautiful tribute to her history and culture, from childhood songs to favourite family dishes. Sun, Sea, Sky, and Sometimes Mud is an authentic take of growing up in Barbados in the 1960s and '70s, one that's sure to resonate with readers.
