June 1st marks the beginning of Caribbean American Month.
Throughout the month-long observance, the stories and achievements of Caribbean-American figures are celebrated.
In honor of the month, here are five books by Caribbean or Caribbean-American authors to read.
- Pleasantview: Written by Trinidadian lawyer and author Celeste Mohammed, “Pleasantview” is a collection of short stories surrounding a singular neighborhood in Trinidad. This novel-in-stories, written in both English and Trinidad Creole, runs through a leading storyline surrounding a political candidate who attacks the country’s endangered turtles and his rival who abuses his lover. When she takes public revenge, the effects sound throughout Pleasantview, affecting multiple characters. For her work, Mohammed has won the 2022 Winner OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature and the 2022 Winner Caribbean Readers Award for Fiction.
- A Small Place: This non-fiction book is an account of Antiguan-American writer Jamaica Kincaid. Released in 1988, “A Small Place” is a book of creative nonfiction that discusses topics such as colonialism, the economic conditions of the country, government corruption and tourism. The novel provides an account of the history of Antigua, from Christopher Columbus beginning the colonization of the island country in 1493 through to the 1974 earthquake that destroyed many structures in Antigua.
- Krik? Krak!: This collection of stories by acclaimed Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat was released as the author’s second full-length volume in 1995. Consisting of nine short stories and an epilogue in which Danticat ties up the stories of the characters, “Krik? Krak!” discusses various themes surrounding the community of Haiti. Also, incorporating historical elements. However, the main connection between all stories and the epilogue lies in its exploration of how Haitian women connect to their homeland and their own families.
- These Ghosts Are Family: Written by author Maisy Card, this 2020 debut novel traces the path of a family from colonial Jamaica to modern-day Harlem. “These Ghosts Are Family” follows the lives of a family whose life is upended by the reveal of their dying father; once upon a time ago, he assumed the identity of a deceased childhood friend. As the novel focuses on their family line, Card incorporates historical and folklore elements in her writing. For her work, she was critically acclaimed and nominated for numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award.
- Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings: Written by author Francie Latour and illustrated by Ken Daley, “Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings” is a 2018 children’s book that follows the story of a young girl who connects to her heritage through her aunt’s paintings. When visiting Auntie Luce each winter, the girl discovers the culture and history of Haiti through her aunt’s art.
