“For isn't it odd that the only language I have in which to speak of this crime is the language of the criminal who committed the crime?”
Coming in at roughly 80 pages, this small book packs a big punch. In A Small Place, the author highlights the effects of colonialism on Antigua and she bravely reveals the corruption that goes on in the country, particularly within the government.
Kincaid's writing is sharp and beautiful with powerful messages attached. The descriptions of Antigua were marvelous and picturesque. Kincaid starts off by telling tourists what they will see once they land at the airport in Antigua, and she goes on to describe the beautiful beaches and palm trees they will see once they arrive at their all inclusive hotels. She makes it clear that the experiences at the hotels are different from the everyday lives of the locals, and she executes this division between these two experiences really well, which makes you question what you actually know about the countries where you vacation. She makes you think about what is beyond the surface of these beautiful paradises, and forces you to think about its history and the impact it still has on the country today.
I think this is an important read and it is super short, so it won't take long to get through.
This book is part of my Read the World Challenge for Antigua.
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