¶ … Caribbean
Only Michener could so exquisitely bring the violent, exciting history of the attractive Caribbean to life. Swaying away from the European Courts of the 15th century that first claimed the area, to the Islands themselves, we lookout at the outburst of the magnificent sugar farm constructed on the backs of slaves, the bloodstained and triumphant revolt in Haiti in 1800.
And in recent times, the diffusion of the Rastafarian belief, the mass migration from Cuba ensuing the revolt and the general discontent of Caribbean people.
Strewn from beginning to end are engaging representation of historical heroes as they battle over against governmental, financial and ethnic persecution and cruelty.
In Caribbean, James A. Michener's engaging and interesting combination of truth and fantasy brings to life the imperious, unforgettable story of a land in search of its future.
Caribbean is a typical Michener book. He is the finest when it comes to narrate a story of a place, not of an individual.
Caribbean is a very lengthy book, elucidating roughly a millenium of history of one of the most engaging and charming places on Earth.
In this novel not only do we visit a wide array of islands, and other Caribbean location such as Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Panama, and the coast of Colombia.
We also make widespread journey to such countries as Great Britain, Spain at the time of the Spanish Persecution, and France at the time of the French Revolution.
In the "Caribbean" Michener is able, through sixteen short stories, to hold forth what befall on the different islands and principal parts of the continent in places like northern Colombia...
Starting at a historical viewpoint Michener covers all of the bases in an exemplary style. While he makes history absorbing, his viewpoint comes into view as tampered with and centering towards Europe. The tongue he uses, when vocalizing for the native population, is clumsy and impractical.
The Caribbean is much more than just a chain of islands. Its discovery by Christopher Columbus set off an authentic land rush of opposing nations enthusiastic and zealous to gain authority over the fresh resources and vital strategic locations that these islands offered.
No one nation could take action fast enough to institute its authority over the entire region.
Michener does not coy away from this variance. He originates dominant characters from these entire region and more. Numerous British colonies, such as Jamaica, Barbados and an imaginary island titled All Saints also spring forth-family lines that in due time found themselves.
We are treated to the lives of the early native Arawaks early in the novel, and in another chapter a family from the passing away Mayan civilization.
Subsequently in the novel, as African…
