Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Autobiography of My Mother by Jamaica Kincaid

Everything I have read by Jamaica Kincaid is rhythmic and repetitive in a hypnotic, intoxicating way. She is amazing. In this novel we meet Xuela Claudette Richardson, whose mother died at the moment she was born. The title is perplexing and definitely open for much interpretation, since Xuela is haunted by her mother's absence, but knows very little about her (which leads to the reader also knowing very little). Kincaid's novel is sensual and richly layered while she examines disturbing and difficult aspects of love, poverty, class, race, and sexuality.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: PR9275.A583 K5636 1997
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Stacy Russo, Chair of Public Services, Leatherby Libraries
Rating: Highly Recommended

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