The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories / Edition 1

by Stewart Brown, John Wickham

Overview

Some of the freshest, most vital, and diverse new literature written in the twentieth century has emerged from the Caribbean. And central to Caribbean literature is the short story, with its ties with the oral tradition. Now, The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories, edited by Stewart Brown and John Wickham, brings together fifty-two stories in a major anthology representing over a century's worth of pan-Caribbean short fiction. This breathtaking collection is unique—and indispensable—in its inclusion of authors from the English, French, Spanish, and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

The distinctly Anglophone viewpoint of such prominent authors as, Jean Rhys, Sam Sevlon, V.S. Naipual, and E.A. Markham is richly contrasted by contributions from French, Spanish, and Dutch writers like Alejo Carpentier, René Depestre, and Thea Doelwijt, while the new generation—represented by such writers as Edwidge Danticat and Patrick Chamoiseau—points the way forward for Caribbean writing into the twenty-first century. With his stimulating introduction, Brown provides an up-to-date overview of Caribbean writing. Exploring the literature's themes of history, race, social justice, identity, and migration, he traces its evolution from the gritty naturalism of the Anglophone tradition to the magical realism of the French and Spanish traditions to a body of contemporary pan-Caribbean literature that cannot be contained in any convenient linguistic, geographical, or thematic definition.

Charting the shifting ideologies and styles of this century—from the flamboyant wit of Samuel Selvon to the deceptive simplicity of Jamaica Kincaid—The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories delivers a wealth of satisfactions in a single volume with unprecedented range.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192802293
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/21/2002
Series:	Oxford Books of Prose
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	8.34(w) x 5.71(h) x 1.09(d)

About the Author

Stewart Brown is a poet and critic who teaches African and Caribbean literature at the Centre of West African Studies, University of Birmingham. John Wickham is literary editor of the Nation newspaper (Barbados) and editor of Bim, the Caribbean's longest-established literary journal. One of the most respected figures in Caribbean literature, he also served as a Senator in the Barbados parliament.

Table of Contents

IntroductionFrank Collymore:, Some People are Meant to Live AloneJean Rhys:, Pioneers, oh, PioneersEric Walrond:, DroughtAlfred Mendes:, Pablo's FandangoCLR James:, TriumphAlejo Carpentier:, Journey to the SeedRoger Mais:, Red Dirt Don't WashJuan Bosh:, Encarnacion Mendoza's Christmas EveJan Carew:, Tilson Ezekial alias Ti-ZekG. Cabrere Infante:, The Doors Open at ThreeSam Selvon:, The Cricket MatchJohn Wickham:, The Light on theSeaIsmith Khan:, Shadows move in the Britannia BarRene Depestre:, Rosena on the MountainRoy Heath:, The Master Tailor and the Teacher's SkirtGabriel Garcia Marquez:, The Last Voyage of the Ghost ShipAndrew Salkey:, A Proper Anno Domini FeelingKamau Brathwaite:, Dream HaitiAntonio Benitez Rojo:, Buried StatuesV. S. Naipaul:, The Night Watchman's Occurance BookMichael Anthony:, They Better Don't Stop the CarnivalJohn Stewart:, The Old Men Used to DancePaule Marshall:, To Da-Duh, In MemoriamAustin Clarke:, Leaving this Island PlaceMaryse Conde:, The Breadnut and the BreadfruitEarl Lovelace:, Victory and the BlightVelma Pollard:, Altamont JonesThea Doelwijt:, In Foreign PartsLawrence Scott:, Ballad for the New WorldE. A. Markham:, Mamie's Form at the Post OfficeRosarioSenior:, Do Angels Wear Brassiers?Miriam Warner-Vieyra:, Passport to ParadiseWilli Chen:, TrottersPauline Melville:, The Conversion of Milicent VernonN. D. Williams:, BeachMerle Collins:, The WalkReinaldo Arenas:, Goodbye MotherAna Lydia Vega:, Eye OpenersJean Breeze:, Sunday CricketAstrid Roemer:, The Inheritance of My Father: a story for ListeningJamaica Kincaid:, BlacknessPatrick Chamoiseau:, Red Hot PeppersLionel Seepaul:, Pan for PocketRobert Antoni:, A World of CanesMakeda Silvera:, Caribbean ChameleonZoila Ellis:, The Waiting RoomEdgardo Sanabria Santaliz:, After the HurricaneGeofry Philp:, My Brother's KeeperAlicia McKenzie:, Private SchoolEdwidge Danticat:, 1937Bibliography; Notes.

Editorial Reviews

"Caribbean authors come from a multicultural tradition, and this wide-ranging anthology collects 52 stories representing more than a century's worth of 'pan-american' short fiction. Although the various authors explore similar themes of history, race, social justice, identity and migration, they do so in diverse ways."—The Orlando Sentinel

"Brown's introduction and suggestions for further reading will particularly help newcomers, but the stories themselves most strongly recommend this anthology....After finishing these fifty-two stories, the reader will undoubtedly hunger for more....This testifies to the virtues of the collection, and to the richness of Caribbean literature. The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories should be read not only by those interested in Caribbean fiction, but by anyone who appreciates excellent writing..."—World Literature Today

"The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories is a must-have. This hugely entertaining anthology invites 52 writers from all across the Caribbean onto one stage and cleverly brings together their diverse languages, island experiences and cultures. The wide range of styles found throughout the... book subtly melds into a unified that communicates the issues of history, race, migration and identity unique to this region. This wonderful collection of writing from the last 100 years not only introduces well-known writers,... but also brings to light the new generation....It is a body of work that's worth revisiting again and again, just like the Caribbean."—Caribbean Travel & Life

"The publication of The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short..., has filled a void on the shelves of Caribbean literature....These...selections may not be the usual, anthologized fare. Yet they all speak of the harsh beauty of life in the tropics these writers know and love so well."—Sky Writings-Air Jamaica "This has to be the definitive collection of Caribbean short stories. This is the one that shall be handed down from generation to generation."—Benjamin Zephaniah, Poet

"What we have here is a stunning collection of writers representing almost every region that is touched by the Caribbean Sea, and what we experience as we read this collection is the truth that we have always suspected but never ventured to say; that some of the best writing to have appeared in this century has come from this archipelago of complex histories and diverse traditions."—Kwame Dawes, University of South Carolina at Sumter

From the Publisher

At its spiciest moments The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories displays the ingredients of the best of Caribbean callaloos....As short story collections go, the stories in The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories are as diverse as the writers and worldviews that inform them. The Literature lover can only revel in the masterful construction of each story while enjoying their narrative charms...the collection will enchant readers for years to come.
— ForeWord Magazine

Lisa I.S. Archibald

This comprehensive collection by 51 20th-century Caribbean writers is as rich and diverse as the cultures and authors who created them. From Cuba and Haiti to Colombia and Guyana, these stories combine a unique sense of place with universal themes. World-renowned authors like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and V. S. Naipaul are included alongside prominent Caribbean authors Patrick Chamoiseau and Juan Bosch and relative newcomers Edwidge Danticat and Alicia McKenzie. While the majority of pieces portray the area's ties to England and the United States, translations from Spanish, French, and Dutch illustrate that there is not one Caribbean culture or literature, but many. While the stories stand well on their own, the editors' organization, introduction, and bibliography provide valuable historical and literary background. Lyrical and well crafted, these stories are a feast for the ear as well as the mind. Highly recommended for all collections.--Ellen Flexman, Indianapolis-Marion Cty. P.L.

Library Journal