Review of Vanessa's Niece

[63tty]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Vanessa's Niece" by H Horace Broomes.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Vanessa's Niece by H Horace Broomes is a book about the growth and maturation of a young boy, Jakey. Jakey is now an adult, and the author recants from the times when Jakey was a teenager to when he is an adult. He has three grandmothers and a big extended family in his childhood years. His childhood was all about religion, penance, and getting disciplined. However, when Jakey became a teenager, he met Vanessa, an older woman to whom he attributes most of his lessons about relationships. Vanessa later passes away, but before that, she introduced Jakey to various sexual acts. Later, he meets some of Vanessa's nieces, whom he has sexual encounters with as well. Jakey matures and learns things are different from what he knew as a teenager. Will Jakey have a healthy relationship as an adult considering his track record?

I loved that this book touches on sensitive topics such as sexual abuse and molestation. Furthermore, the book's setting is in the Caribbean, and it is rich in aspects of Caribbean culture. I learned of the different dishes they eat. What was elevating was how the children had to eat their grandmothers' foods whenever they visited. I also loved that the author builds up the story from Jakey's childhood while including minor details, which attributes to the plot.

However, there were a couple of things that I did not like about the book. First, the dialogue is in the Caribbean accent, and as a person who is not familiar with such, this became tedious and time-consuming as I tried to decipher how to sound the accent. Unfortunately, I could not find a way to crack it other than writing down what I had translated then referring to it later as I read. I also did not appreciate Jakey's sexual behavior. It was unrealistic for a teen, considering the strictness of adults in the Caribbean as described by the author. Moreover, there were so many characters at the beginning of the book with nicknames that I lost track.

For all the above reasons, I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. The book was written in perfect grammar and with good and detailed descriptions, apart from the dialogue, which was a writing style. It seemed professionally edited since I did not find any errors. I would have given it a perfect rating were it not for the challenges I encountered, which stressed and interrupted my reading flow.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning or reading about Caribbean culture. A person raised in the Caribbean would find some aspects of this book relatable. It is also essential for a reader to decipher the dialogue first before reading through it. Vanessa's Niece is not a book for those repelled by descriptions of sexual abuse and molestation, which is rampant.

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Vanessa's Niece
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[Raluca_Mihaila]

I would like to find put more about the Caribbean culture and food. Thank you for this interesting review!

[markodim721]

The book has a very bold theme. I like that the author incorporated aspects of Caribbean culture into the book.

[63tty]

I would like to find put more about the Caribbean culture and food. Thank you for this interesting review!

You're welcome and thanks for the comment.

[Vishnu Priya B]

I love your thorough analysis of the book. Although the theme is outspoken, it seems like the book needs to be a bit more organised.

[Gemjay]

Your review is amazing but I think I'll have to pass because of the rampant sexual encounters.

[63tty]

The book has a very bold theme. I like that the author incorporated aspects of Caribbean culture into the book.

Yes indeed. It is a well-thought-out book. Thanks for the comment.

[63tty]

I love your thorough analysis of the book. Although the theme is outspoken, it seems like the book needs to be a bit more organised.

Oh but it was fine.

[63tty]

Your review is amazing but I think I'll have to pass because of the rampant sexual encounters.

Okay
Good idea.

[NancyDrew12]

Jakey just might have a hard time finding a normal relationship because of his past. I wonder where Jakey ends up and if he is able to find a normal and stable relationship. Lovely review!

[63tty]

Jakey just might have a hard time finding a normal relationship because of his past. I wonder where Jakey ends up and if he is able to find a normal and stable relationship. Lovely review!

Guess you gotta read it to find out.