Interesting read about Antigua, since I was there when I read it. It was sad and well written, though a little too restrained for my taste. I wanted more emotion and less repetition. ( )

I bring some background to my comments. I lived in Antigua and knowk the places Kincaid refers to, I have heard her read from her best known book A Small Place to an Antigua audience. I think she is a very autobiographical author and bringing herself into the book is part of her style. Her tidbits of Antigua culture,especially family life are on target. But the strength of this book is a view of dying,not just her brother's death but those of others. The book meanders, it circles back,it repeats, but for any of us who have lost a family member and have such mixed feelings reflecting back on our earlier relationships I think this book makes us think,gives us a context for facing our own feelings of ambiguity with death. ( )