5 comments about Unburnable: A Novel.

1. This book was a definite page turner. I found myself torn between wanting to know what was going to happen next to not wanting the book to end. (I literally dragged out the last few chapters for as long as I could). I liked how each chapter went back and forth from the past to the present until they caught up with each other and I loved the way the history of Dominica was weaved through out the book. The language was raw and honest. Marie-Elena John is a powerful new voice it the literary world and I cant wait to read her next book.



2. I enjoyed the story a great deal. John is a very talented writer so full of rich detail. The story itself was a true page turner. However, about 2/3rd's of the way through the book the story started to fizzle and become a little tedious. So many events,past and present, were built up to a disappointing climax. I found myself rereading thinking I had missed something. For example, Lillian and all her childhood short comings at the Catholic ceremonies. Her twenty year cat and mouse attraction to Teddy that simply lead to repeated odd ruff house sex complete with band aids and bruises.
   
   The "big revelation" ending fell a little flat. I really thought Teddy was going to hear something profound from Sylvie or Bird (Magistrat not Magic...Noir not Noah. OKAY...?)The ending let the reader draw somewhat of their own conclusion which I appreciate. I just wish Malitda, Iris and Lillian were not so disconnected. Never was there a conversation between any of them.
   
   John wrote with a true love and understanding of the culture of these women. That was the book's greatest asset.



3. Wow. What a great novel! It's hard to believe it's fiction. The way the author ties in the characters, as well as the geographical and cultural references almost make this novel seem like a recap of Dominican oral histories. And to top it off, I learned sooo much from this book. I found myself constantly researching many of the references in the book: Maroons, Caribs, and Igbo cultures, the History of Ash Wednesday, Masquerades, Jacko's Flat, the boiling lake, etc....all things that I had no or limited knowledge about before reading this book. I highly recommend this book..truly honored to add it my book collection.



4. Marie-Elena graciously takes you inside the history and lives of the Dominican people. You will visit the island's original Carib people who discovered Columbus when he arrived in 1493. Yes, be careful because you may actually learn something by reading this novel. Don't worry. Marie-Elena weaves a wonderful tale that will also feed some of your thirst for sex and action, while simultaneously increasing your knowledge of Africa and the Caribbean. She explores the African heritage that has been preserved in the Caribbean for over a century through rituals and everyday life. She also touches on the similarities and divide that exist between Africans, Caribbeans, and African Americans here in America. Overall, Marie-Elena John has written a wonderful novel that entices and intrigues. It is a must read for this summer or anytime you want to take a trip to the beautiful island of Dominica.



5. I read this book on my trip back home and I truly felt as if I was back in time. During the Carnival in Dominica, the characters in the book came alive to me so real.John did her job of pulling me into the history, the characters, the bourgeoise mentality, the Catholicism of the island. I never give away good books but I just had to share the wealth to another Antiguan-Dominican to enjoy the fire of who we are.

3 comments about Virgin Islands Pocket Adventures (Hunter Travel Guides Pocket Adventures) (Hunter Travel Guides Pocket Adventures) (Hunter Travel Guides Pocket Adventures).

1. I've been using Harry S. Pariser's Adventure Guide to the Virgin Islands in its previous editions, but this is not it. This is a completely new book, but one which is skimpy on background information and other features which made his such a joy to use. This book is just not the same."



2. "Recommended for visitors who want to research a trip ahead of time and take the book along for repeated reference. Covers the beautiful islands in the chain, from reefs, wrecks and eco-adventures to town attractions and places to stay. An excellent guide." The Bookwatch



3. One of the highly portable and information packed titles in the outstanding 'Pocket Adventure' travel guide series from Hunter Publishing, "Virgin Islands" by Lynn M. Sullivan covers the island destinations of St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and the smaller islets. All of the usual guidebook information is compacted into a pocket size, user friendly reference including places to go, what to see, what to do, and where to stay. Enhanced with historical 'infobits', maps, information and advice, "Virgin Islands" is the ideal and recommended trip planner whether traveling on a budget or in luxury, on a day-trip or an extended vacation.

2 comments about Cuba Classics: A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles.

1. Chris Baker is the preeminent travel writer covering Cuba today. His guidebooks for National Geographic Traveler and Moon Publishing are biblical Baedekers for anyone traveling to the island. "Mi Moto Fidel," his book-length journey around the island on a BMW motorcycle, reads like a Hemingwayan novel -- and has garnered prestigious writing awards. Now, with "Cuba Classics," Baker has taken his already impressive act to a new level, displaying his skill as a photographer, which is nothing short of artistry. His stunning photographs of vintage American autos -- so plentiful in Cuba -- are not only wonderful depictions of cars not seen in the U.S. for decades, but are the subjects of photos that demonstrate a photographer's instinctively artistic command of format, color, tone, and lighting. Settings for the autos often speak to the greater issue of the Cuban landscape, both urban and rural. It's a must book for car buffs, for anyone interested in photographic artistry, for anyone enamoured of beautiful writing. As a long-time fan of Baker's journalism, I have found myself asking what else could he possibly do to present another aspect of this island country he knows and loves? "Cuba Classics" is the latest answer to that question. Kudos.



2. Yes, we've all seen great photos of classic cars in Cuba--but this book will make you swoon. Your knees will buckle, and you will become feverish with desire to get yourself to Cuba as soon as possible. Magnificent.

1 comments about Hidden Bahamas.

1. Real information on what to do, geared more for the adventurer.Maps nothing special.Brief history coverage. No real prices, only "budget, moderate." Not a complete travel guide, but gives good ideas of what to do on the islands. Use this for some non-touristy sites and to do's, but buy more complete guide for hotels and car rentals, etc. Covers all islands, though not real detailed.

3 comments about Bermuda Shipwrecks: A Vacationing Diver's Guide to Bermuda's Shipwrecks.

1. If you are the type of diver that likes to know the background on your wreck dives then this is for you. The history behind the ships and wrecks is very well laid out. Its a good tool to have if your going to dive the wrecks in Bermuda.



2. The first thing that struck me when a copy of this book arrived through my letterbox was how thin it was. As a professional underwater photo-journalist & author who specialises in shipwrecks, I am also a shipwreck historian and, therefore, well aware of the shipwrecks to be found in Bermuda. This book does not do justice to those shipwrecks at all.
   
   Bermuda Shipwrecks is a paper-back book measuring 9" x 6" (23cm x 15 cm) containing 72 pages. With 10 of those pages taken up with such bumf as title of the book (again), fairly ordinary foreword (much of which is repeated on the back cover), acknowledgements, something about the authors, index, how to use the book (which in this case means reading it!) and how to order more copies (as if!), there is precious little room for the details for which we purchased the book in the first place.
   
   The book's cover calls this work "A vacationing diver's guide to Bermuda's Shipwrecks" but it is not even that. Any diver operating anywhere in the world will require diving information and in a number of cases this is wholly non-existent. In others it is less than two lines.
   
   With much of the text punctuated with Teddy did this and then Teddy did that (a reference to Teddy Tucker (who wrote the foreword)) one is left wondering why Teddy didn't do the one thing he should have done - and write the book in the first place. Doubtless it will be called "The Adventures of Teddy!"
   
   In short, this is book of short stories about how many of Bermuda's wrecks were lost. And lost is the right word for this book when it comes to detail.
   
   Not worth the cover price.
   
   N M



3. THis is a great beginners book if you are looking for dive sites for all different ability divers. It gives a great little synopsis of all the dives in the area. We have been there twice and it is great!!! Very helpful book. Thanks A+

1 comments about Insight Pocket Guide Cayman Island (Insight Pocket Guides Cayman Islands).

1. I bought this book for a 4 day trip to Grand Cayman - so I've actually not used the sections for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac - but found it concise and accurate enough to make the most of my four days. It was a suprise to go to the turtle farm and find a bar and a diveshop instead - but they had just relocated across the street due to hurricane damage they suffered. Overall, this is one of the many Insight Guides i own and they're generally pretty good; I would recommend this book for short/easy trips.

No comments about The Rough Guide to the Dominican Republic 4 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1 comments about Exciting Philippines: A Visual Journey (Exciting Series).

1. I like to use Periplus Maps when i'm traveling around Asia... and i can confirm that this kind of maps is very usefull... complete...
   The best choice for prepare my adventure trips... Just next to the map u will find the Lonely Planet Guide... With boths of them i spent months and months around the world...

2 comments about Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica & St. Lucia (Martinique Guadeloupe Dominica & St Lucia).

1. Lynne Sullivan's Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica & St. Lucia Alive focuses on the best of the regions, from shopping to outdoors activities and nightclubs. All details on customs, culture and opportunities are covered for destination-bound visitors.



2. My wife and I went to St. Lucia in April. We had prepared for our trip by reading all this book had to say about the island, which was very helpful in planning day trips, money exchange, restaurants, etc. We took the book with us and it was extremely helpful with maps when we drove around the island, and the different side trips off the main road. I would highly recommend it to any who are planning a trip to that area!

1 comments about 100 Best Resorts of the Caribbean, 7th (100 Best Series).

1. This book contains reviews of the "100 Best" resorts in the Caribbean. The reviews are short and contain most of the information that you would need to make an informed decision. However, the older version of the book had FAR more color pictures, and without them, this version is just not as helpful. Still, there are hotels in this book that you might not find otherwise and it's a good beginning in terms of picking an island to visit. But you will need to buy other books.