Review of Island in the Sun - Growing up in Jamaica 1948-1954

[Joy Wendy]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Island in the Sun - Growing up in Jamaica 1948-1954" by Monica Carly.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Adventure is an opportunity to explore new places and gain new experiences. Island in the Sun by Monica Carly is an autobiography of Monica’s experience in Jamaica as a young girl from 1948–1954. It explores life in a temperate region through the lens of a little English girl.

Monica was born into the family of a Baptist minister in England. One day, she was informed by her mother that they were moving to Jamaica. Her father had just gotten a job as a principal at Calabar Baptist Theological College in Jamaica, and the whole family had to relocate with him. Monica, her elder brother, Brian, and her younger sister, Marilyn, had to continue school in Jamaica. Her mother assisted by cooking for the family and the students. Soon, Monica realised how different Jamaica was from England and had to adapt to the new environment as a minister’s daughter while making new memories and making the best of everything.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The story was written from the fresh perspective of Monica, who experienced Jamaica herself as a minister’s daughter. Her experiences, even through the lens of a child, were very insightful and enthralling. I loved the detailed explanation of the country’s food, culture, history, and people, which increased my knowledge of Jamaica and made it very easy to follow the story. I enjoyed the contrasting descriptions of Jamaica and England, which was an indicator of the great deal of change Monica, her family, and every other foreigner have to go through. I particularly loved the pictures of places, people, and events, which provided a graphic description of the events that occurred in the book. I really enjoyed the book.

I do not have any dislikes for the book. The book was beautifully written with a slight sense of humor. The descriptive quality of the book made it a very interesting and educational read. The book had no form of error, which made it a very seamless read. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style.

I rate this book five out of five stars for its beautifully written and very descriptive story. The book was expertly edited, and I found no grammatical or spelling errors while reading it. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for individuals interested in learning about Jamaica as a country and life in Jamaica. I also highly recommend this book for individuals looking for a fun book on experiences in a foreign country. This is a very interesting and amazing read.

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Island in the Sun - Growing up in Jamaica 1948-1954
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[Mojisola Omowunmi Omotosho]

Your review beautifully captures the charm and insight of "Island in the Sun" by Monica Carly. Your appreciation for the detailed descriptions of Jamaica's food, culture, and history, along with the contrasting depictions of Jamaica and England, is well-articulated. Highlighting the fresh perspective of Monica and the inclusion of pictures enhances the appeal. This thoughtful review will surely encourage others to pick up this captivating autobiography. Great job!

[Areena David]

The reader can explore and understand a new and different culture, in this case, Jamaica's culture, through the eyes of someone who lived and adapted to this culture. The book provides the reader with ample information about the history, food, people, and daily life in Jamaica during the period from 1948 to 1954.

[Nerea]

Monica's life journey sounds adventurous. I would love to follow through and learn about her experiences. Plus, I'm interested to explore different cuisine, culture, people, and history that made up Monica's life experience while in Jamaica and England. I find the autobiography to be worth reading.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

"Island in the Sun" by Monica Carly is an engaging memoir about a young English girl's experiences in 1940s Jamaica. The detailed descriptions of Jamaican culture along with personal insights, make it a fascinating read. Highly recommend for anyone interested in cross-cultural stories. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Asia Short]

"Thank you for sharing your thoughtful review of 'Island in the Sun - Growing up in Jamaica 1948-1954'! I appreciated how you highlighted the author's vivid descriptions of Jamaican culture and the nostalgic portrayal of childhood. The book's exploration of social class, colonialism, and identity resonates deeply.

I'm curious, did you find that the author's experiences and reflections on growing up in Jamaica during that time period challenged or reinforced your existing perceptions of the island's history and culture? How did the author's storytelling style contribute to your overall reading experience?

Looking forward to hearing more thoughts!"

[Brienna Cooper]

Nice review! As someone who coincidentally has taken more of an interest in Jamaica more recently, this would be a good way to get a glimpse of the culture and history from a very personal perspective. Then, perhaps I could move on to other sources and learn how things have (or have not) evolved over time.

Congrats to the author on BOTD!

[Emad el deen saeed]

Thank you for your insightful review of "Island in the Sun: Growing Up in Jamaica 1948-1954" by Monica Carley! Your appreciation for Carley's unique perspective as a young girl in Jamaica truly highlights the charm and depth of her storytelling.

It's wonderful to hear how the vivid descriptions of Jamaica’s culture, food, and history resonated with you, enhancing your understanding of the island. The contrasts between Jamaica and England, as you noted, effectively showcase the transformative journey Monica and her family undertook.

Your praise for the book's humor and the seamless reading experience due to its careful editing is also noteworthy. It’s clear that Carley’s writing not only informs but also entertains, making it a delightful read for anyone interested in exploring life in a foreign land.

I appreciate your strong recommendation for this book, especially for those eager to learn more about Jamaica. It sounds like a fantastic addition to any reader's collection, and I’m excited to dive into Monica's experiences myself! Thanks

[Nicole Naicker]

This sounds like an interesting and informative read. I especially enjoy first person narratives so this book is more than worth my while.

[Bertha Jackson]

It will be interesting to see how Monica conformed to the different culture she experienced in Jamaica compared to her life in England. Thank you for your informative review.

[Olga Markova]

What a lovely review! I sampled the opening chapter, and, like you, I loved the writing style and the feel of adventure. I also liked the humour - salt being pepper turned upside down is an awesome prank! I agree that this book is interesting and educational.

[Rupali Mishra]

Congrats on BOTD!
Monica Carly's captivating memoir "Island in the Sun" recounts the experiences of a young English girl growing up in 1940s Jamaica. The comprehensive accounts of Jamaican culture, paired with the author's own perspectives, delve into the various foods, customs, societies, and historical events that shaped Monica's experiences living in both Jamaica and England.

[Chi Chiu Michael Mak]

Everyone can relate to the feeling of moving to a new home and experiencing new, foreign stuff. Readers who are into the life in England and Jamaica would like it.

[Jorge Leon Salazar]

In this autobiography, the author tells her experiences in Jamaica when she was a child from 1948 to 1954. The perspective of a girl who had to face the challenge of adapting to a country very different from hers is interesting. The descriptions of Jamaica and the aspects of the time are additional positives.

[Leen282]

Jamaica is a wonderful vacation destination. Reading about living there as a child, who moved with her family coming from a completely different culture, is surely enriching. The slight sense of humour adds to the enjoyment of this book.