Final Blog

Secrets We Kept Three Women of Trinidad - Kyrstal A. Sital

The Bread the Devil Knead- Lisa Allen- Agostini

When We Were Birds- Ayanna L. Banwo

Archipelago - Monique Roffey

From the books I have read throughout the school year I learned that mainly up north in Trinidad has a lot of mountains. Up north in Trinidad is considered to be more rural and is supposed to have more mountains. All the stories I read this year were a mix of rural and suburban . I remember especially in the book “Secrets We Kept Three Women of Trinindad”  by Krystal A Sital the main character Ayra was always talking about running through Shiva’s farm. The story  “Secrets We Kept Three Women of Trinindad” by Krystal A Sital was considered to be more rural. “The Bread The Devil Knead '' the story took place in the city, the capital of Trinindad, Port of Spain. 

One thing that I have learned from these stories is that abuse was normalized back then, especially in foriegn countries like Trinidad. In three out four of the books I read the main topic seemed to be the abuse women faced from family and or loved ones. The three books that showed abuse being a main topic were “The Bread the Devil Knead '' by  Lisa Allen- Agostini, “Secrets We Kept Three Women of Trinidad ''  by Kyrstal A. Sital, and “When We Were Birds” by Ayanna L. Banwo. In  “The Bread the Devil Knead '’ Ayra, one of the main characters, was abused her whole life and she thought the man she married would be her escape but he soon started to beat her too. In “Secrets We Kept Three Women of Trinindad” Krystal learned that her grandfather isn’t as perfect as she thought and learned his history of his abuse once he was sick. Lastly, “When We Were Birds” with Yejide it wasn’t physical abuse it was more verbal from her mother.

One thing I learned about the food is that curry is really big in their food. I remember a quote from the first book I read that said, "Trinis hah de bess curry, ..." in the book “Secrets We Kept Three Women of Trinindad” by Krystal A Sital. I have also learned that they have pride with their food. There is always a competition on who makes the best curry in the Caribbean. Something else I learned about the culture was how important and fun it is to be a part of Carnival. Carnival is a festival they have in Trinidad that is similar to the one in Brazil. It is celebrated in Febuary. Lastly, I learned that they speak a certain way. They speak Trinindadian Patois. Trinindadian  Patois is Trinidadian English Creole which is spoken all through Trinindad. Their accents may be similar to Jamaicans and Guyanese accents but their slang is completely different. 

One thing that I learned from each book was growth in different ways. In the book “Secrets We Kept Three Women of Trinindad” by Krystal A Sital I saw the women in Krytal’s life finally be able to use their voice and speak up about the abuse that her grandfather put them through. In the story “The Bread the Devil Knead '' by  Lisa Allen- Agostini the main character Alethea finally had the courage to run from her abuser and that takes growth and maturity. Lastly, in the book “When We Were Birds” by Ayanna L. Banwo Yejide was able to get over her mother’s death and find love.

Something I learned about myself while reading was that I relate to some of the experiences the characters went through. For example I relate with Krystal finding out her grandfather isn’t so perfect. My grandfather passed when I was in third grade because he was an alcoholic , he hid it so perfectly never even knew he drank. I relate with Alethea not necessarily because I have been through abuse but because I finally built up courage to leave a toxic friend . Lastly, I relate with Yejide. After a few deaths in my family I felt lost but I was able to find self love and that is the best type of love. I grew and I am strong just like these characters.

Word count: 676

"Good morning, mermaid..." ~M.Roffey (47) "Archipelgo"

Week 20 Blog

This week I read pages 1-40 of the book “Archipelago” by Monique Roffey. The most important quote I read was "Daddy, can I get down now? Yes, pumpkin." on page 8. 

Here’s why:In the first chapter the author introduces the main characters Suzy and Gavin Weald. Gavin, Suzy’s father who is trying to not think about work while he is spending time with Suzy. Gavin is CEO of a small company. The thought of going back to work really bothered him, it showed while he was making dinner for his daughter. He made her favorite mac and cheese and they ate together, then watched TV together. Gavin didn’t eat much, mainly picked at his food and I believe it was due to the stress of the office. Monday he returned to the office and he felt like his staff weren’t working their hardest. He continues the routine with his daughter every night. He comes home, eats dinner with his daughter and his dog and then watches TV. Gavin one day decides to take Suzy to Tobago by boat. The sea became a little harsh and threw Suzy all around which made her really sick. 

Personal response: I felt like the first chapter and the quote I chose really spoke to me because it reminded me a little bit  of how my father was always working and weekends were when we saw each other the most. I felt like I had a personal connection with chapter one because my dad used to call me pumpkin growing up. I really like how the author shows the connection between Suzy and Gavin. I didn’t like that I was left at a cliffhanger so I don’t know exactly what happened to Suzy, but I am excited to find out during this week’s reading.

Word count:300

"Deal done." ~M.Roffey (32) "Archipelago"

"Daddy, when can we go home?" ~M. Roffey (27) "Archipelago"

"A peal of thunder from the sky." ~M. Roffey(15) "Archipelago"

"Daddy, can I get down now? Yes, pumpkin." ~M.Roffey (8) "Archipelago"

Week 19 Blog

This week I finished the novel “When We Were Birds” The most important quote was "He will never leave us ma, and I will never leave you."  on page 288.

Here is why: Darwin wrote this letter to his mother to reassure her no matter the distance he wouldn’t leave her. He never sent it though. Darwin’s mother is not really mentioned much in the story but Darwin and his mother had a rocky relationship due to the fact that she kind of turned her back on him when he got the only job he could find to provide for her and him. So Darwin decided to hold on to the letter before sending it. Throughout his life his mother constantly pushed him away, but never wanted him to leave. She always feared that Darwin would leave her into the city away from this poor city. Darwin loves his mother dearly regardles of the past. So eventually he thought it was time and sent out the letter.

Personal response: I really enjoyed this book. At first it was confusing at first with the switch to Yejide then to Darwin. I really loved the way that Yejide and Darwin met, yes it was kind of weird where they met, but they met when they needed each other the most. Something else I enjoyed from the book was the use of Trinidadian patois and originality to the story. I believe that the patois made this book more home to Trinidad. I do feel like the ending was a bit of a cliff hanger but I do love the way it ended. I do wish we got to hear a response from Darwin’s mother but I do feel like Darwin got some form of closure by writing the letter for his mother. I love how even though they have issues he still wrote to her.

Word count:312

"You'd hear theatrical steupses, and people hawking unabashedly..." ~S. Mootoo "Valmiki's Daughter" (7)

"He will never leave us ma, and I will never leave you." (288) When we Were Birds A.L. Banwo

"Give us the man." ~A. L. Banwo (274) When We Were Birds

Week 18 Blog

This week I read pages 230-270 of the book “When We Were Birds” by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo. From this week's reading I think the quote “How you know what she wanted?” on page 256.

Here is why: Yejide has been feeling a lot of pressure since her mom has passed away. All the weight is left on her. All the decision making about her mother was left up to her. Even though Yejide was in charge , everyone sure had alot to say about her decision making. First Darwin tried to convince Yejide to bury her mother somewhere different, which was mentioned in previous week’s blog. Now it is with Seema asking “How you know what she wanted?”

Yejide feels enraged because yes she and her mother were not two peas in a pod but she knew her mother. Seema also got filled with rage and basically told Yejide that it doesn’t matter what her mother thinks of her because she is dead. Seema continued to make Yejide feel horrible about herself. Seema pushed Yejide too far that night, Yejide ran away and the storm followed. 

Personal response:I really enjoyed this week’s reading. I feel like this week there was more “drama” unfolding. I feel like this book is amazing because it is authentic, interesting, and a bit of a thriller. The reason I believe this book is authentic is because with the storyline taking place in Trinidad the author makes literature include Trinidadian Patois. The reason I think this book is interesting is the twist and turns that come up. For example this week with Seema and Yejide I believed that was very disrespectful the way Seema treated Yejide. The drama was interesting though. The reason I believe that this book is a thriller is kind of how it “revolves around the dead”. They haven’t switched the topic from Yejide’s mother in a while. Overall I am really enjoying “When We Were Birds” by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo.

Word count: 328

"You fraid fucking rain?" ~A.L. Banwo(264) When We Were Birds

"How you know what she wanted?" ~A.L. Banwo (256)

"Darwin heart still beating hard." ~A.L. Banwo (246) When We Were Birds

"Watch yourself,"... ~A.L. Banwo (235) When We Were Birds

Week 17 Blog

This week I read pages 190-230 of the book When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo. The most important quote that I read from this week was “I don’t want to be alone right now.” on page 207. 

Here’s why:  Recently after Darwin and Yejide met at the cemetery she texted him “are you busy?" Yejide started to like Darwin, especially after her mothers passing. After Yejide’s mother passed she felt alone and lost. He starts to overthink about how he looks. He does this because the guys he works with start to get his head. She meets him at work. When she gets there he asks if she wants to go anywhere but she lets him know she just can not be alone right now.The time that they were hanging out Darwin noticed Yejide was off. He could tell that her mind was somewhere else. They drive through the night and just enjoy each other’s company. Yejide brings Darwin to see the mountains and it makes him feel like he has never seen them before. 

Personal response: I noticed that Yejide has been affected by her mother's death but doesn’t want to accept it because they were not very close.I do like Darwin, I feel like he is good for Yejide.This book might be my favortie book I’ve read so far. I feel like the way that Yejide and Darwin met was weird but I do feel like they have chemistry. I feel like right now Yejide needs to get over the initial shock and fully grieve her mother. I do believe Darwin whether or not they end up together will be a big part in helping her get through her mother’s death. I wish Yejide talked to him in the car ride or even looked at him I feel like something could’ve happened.

Word count:309