Review of Scarlet Birthright

[Elavarasi Charles]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Scarlet Birthright" by Scarlet Ibis James.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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A story of intergenerational pain and transformation, Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind by Scarlet Ibis James carries readers into the roots of Trinidad, rich with traditions and culture that carefully shape lives.

Joromi, seeking a safer life in New York, leaves behind his fruit of love, his daughter, Trisha, in the care of his mother. Trisha knows nothing of her mother, who died too early, leaving behind only the fire in her heart as an inheritance, or her father, whose only communication is through monthly phone calls and letters. She waits, doubts, and grows out of her longing, and eventually comes full circle to accept what is said and unsaid in this beautiful tangle of mess called her life. Grab a copy to travel with Trisha and her people to discover the many forms and powers of love.

I found myself enjoying Trinidad, which takes center stage and connects them all. Reading through Trinidad’s intimate culture, lore, and tradition rooted passionately in the island, I ended up wanting more of both the place and the people who celebrate it. Moreover, the author, James, proves herself a writer of meritorious rank. Her writing has a magic that could turn anything into a melody to our hearts. The chapters poetically intertwine the two major seasons—dry and rainy—with the characters and their emotions. She gracefully incorporates the beliefs, sayings, and evocative elements of everyday life into the narration, not withholding the peculiar dialect of the island, which connected me effortlessly to the plot. The scarlet, in the form of red, ignites delicate fire, passion, and force of human nature in not just the characters’ but the readers’ hearts, too.

This is a women-centric story that leads with powerfully portrayed female characters. Trisha, along with her mother, grandmother, and even her stepmother, who initially harbors brief hatred towards her, is a picture of an inherently strong female archetype, one I found exuded the very aura of women Clarissa Pinkola Estés might celebrate in her classic work, ‘Women Who Run With the Wolves.’ The story soulfully narrates how women take all that is written by their predecessors—their pain, wisdom, and ability to trust their hearts and stand by the right—and write a story for themselves, which they later pass on to their successors. The clear difference in men who listen to their women and those who don’t shows how meaningful paths in life sprout from innately sound women.

This story was developed from a short story in her collection, 'Scarlet Yearnings: Stories of Love and Desire,' upon her readers’ request. Her love for Caribbean life is transparent and true in her characters, who come to life. It’s no wonder that whoever reads her work wants more. The editing is nearly perfect, with only one minor, negligible error. The light use of a few profane words means this book suits young adults, particularly those who do not know their parents’ love and care and want to move on to the next chapter of life. Even if you are a casual reader, you can deeply connect with the story, gathering wisdom, strength, compassion, and peace throughout. If you are from Trinidad and love Caribbean-laced stories of roots and traditions, this is a must-pick for you. There is nothing I dislike about the book, and so I give it 5 out of 5.

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Scarlet Birthright
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[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

This seemed like an excellent book. Your review was spot on and was good to read. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work.

[Kibet Hillary]

It is good to read that whoever reads this will want more, as it definitely points to the author's exceptional writing style. I would be really interested in learning much about the island. The book also sounds really captivating and moving and one cannot think about the different expressions of love addressed. Thanks for the review, @Elavarasi Charles.