[.ca] Banana Shout: A Novel of Negril Jamaica WI (ISBN 1928704735)

Heavy, Yes, Groovy, No:
While not completely awful, BANANA SHOUT seems limited. The author began his personal Jamaican experience in 1973, but the book reads like his first-hand experience comes from T.V. sitcoms of an era or place, not from actual living experience! His presentation of the time is summed up by the words "heavy," "man," "groovy," "bumbo," and "spliff".(The STAR WARS references, 5 years before the movie was released, annoyed me.)It seems Conklin is relying on hazy memory to recreate his story rather than a diary or journal, and the situations the hero finds himself in are not that interesting. The 'Quadrille dance", a chance to offer the reader a look at authentic, Jamaican hidden ritual is reduced to "..better than Woodstock! Far out!" I guess I want characters with more color and I want them in more interesting situations. Too many people lay around stoned and I am finding this unsatisfying. I'm only on page 200 but I'll keep plodding on.When I'm finished, I'll probably re-read DON'T STOP THE CARNIVAL for a dose of sunshine.

Great book...bad grammar:
I really loved this book and have read it twice. First bought it to read on the beach in Negril and devoured it in a day! My only complaint about this book is that it contains tons of misspelled words (Jimmy Hendrix?!?) and other grammatical errors. While not a big deal, this can be somewhat distracting.

Get a hammock and a rum:
Yes Jamaica is poised between rampant all inclusive commercialism and real life adventure opportunities, and nothing outlines that more clearly than this clever tale. Banana Shout, based on the villas in Negril is an amazing story... hilarious... along the lines of Tom Robbins... and it's a great read. As a steady traveler to Jamaica (3 -4 times a year) I would like to mention that one should never think that it's cool to yell "yah Man" at Ricks next door while drinking an overpriced rum, and that it's a much greater pleasure to sit next door in a hammock at Banana Shout, drinking your own and living life large. If you're going to Jamaica, get this book, and find some place nice to read it...

Get a hammock and a rum:
Yes Jamaica is poised between rampant all inclusive commercialism and real life adventure opportunities, and nothing outlines that more clearly than this clever tale. Banana Shout, based on the villas in Negril is an amazing story... hilarious... along the lines of Tom Robbins... and it's a great read. As a steady traveler to Jamaica (3 -4 times a year) I would like to mention that one should never think that it's cool to yell "yah Man" at Ricks next door while drinking an overpriced rum, and that it's a much greater pleasure to sit next door in a hammock at Banana Shout, drinking your own and living life large. If you're going to Jamaica, get this book, and find some place nice to read it...

Banana Shout with Laughter:
I bought this book while in Negril to read on the beach. I found I couldn't put it down. Knowing the area, but not the local people well, I was able to imagine being Tavos, the main character, who was dumped into Jamaica, a country alien to him, and barely able to communicate with the Negrilians speaking their patois. His adventures, being actual events encountered by the author, made this read all the more exciting. Since I'm a Jamerican now, I'm ready for the sequel.