Celeste Mohammed's new novel, Ever Since We Small, weaves a sweeping Caribbean tale that defies conventional storytelling. The book opens in 1899, Bihar, India, where Jayanti, a young widow, faces an arranged fate sealed by the oppressive British colonial rule and patriarchal societies of her time. In a bold move, she dares to defy these norms when she discovers a woman wearing her husband's bracelets.
Determined to challenge the unjust laws that condemned women like Jayanti to a life of silence and submission, Jayanti turns to English justice for help. Her pleas are met with unexpected aid from a doctor and magistrate who intervene on her behalf, saving her from what would have been a tragic fate – sati.
However, the offer of redemption comes at a steep price: the Magistrate proposes that Jayanti accept him as her paramour. Instead, she requests to be sent to Trinidad, where she hopes to find solace and forgiveness in an island culture that understands the complexity of women's lives.
The narrative takes a sharp turn as we follow the story of Shiva Gopaul, 13-year-old son of Jayanti, who is struggling to navigate adolescence in Bagatelle, Trinidad in 1973. Here, he encounters mystical figures like Godfrey – a saapin – and grapples with his own identity amidst an intricate tapestry of creole cultures.
The author employs innovative techniques to weave her narrative, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, past and present. The use of multiple perspectives, from the omniscient 'bois' guardian of the forest, injects a sense of wonder into the reader's experience.
Through Shiva's story, Mohammed reveals the dark underbelly of colonialism and its effects on women's lives. However, she also offers hope in the resilience of women who refuse to be defined by societal norms.
Ultimately, Ever Since We Small is a testament to Celeste Mohammed's skill as a storyteller, weaving a rich tapestry of Caribbean culture that invites readers to immerse themselves in her world. This deft and confident novel breaks new ground in its use of magical realism and challenges the reader to re-examine their assumptions about identity, community, and what it means to be alive.
Determined to challenge the unjust laws that condemned women like Jayanti to a life of silence and submission, Jayanti turns to English justice for help. Her pleas are met with unexpected aid from a doctor and magistrate who intervene on her behalf, saving her from what would have been a tragic fate – sati.
However, the offer of redemption comes at a steep price: the Magistrate proposes that Jayanti accept him as her paramour. Instead, she requests to be sent to Trinidad, where she hopes to find solace and forgiveness in an island culture that understands the complexity of women's lives.
The narrative takes a sharp turn as we follow the story of Shiva Gopaul, 13-year-old son of Jayanti, who is struggling to navigate adolescence in Bagatelle, Trinidad in 1973. Here, he encounters mystical figures like Godfrey – a saapin – and grapples with his own identity amidst an intricate tapestry of creole cultures.
The author employs innovative techniques to weave her narrative, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, past and present. The use of multiple perspectives, from the omniscient 'bois' guardian of the forest, injects a sense of wonder into the reader's experience.
Through Shiva's story, Mohammed reveals the dark underbelly of colonialism and its effects on women's lives. However, she also offers hope in the resilience of women who refuse to be defined by societal norms.
Ultimately, Ever Since We Small is a testament to Celeste Mohammed's skill as a storyteller, weaving a rich tapestry of Caribbean culture that invites readers to immerse themselves in her world. This deft and confident novel breaks new ground in its use of magical realism and challenges the reader to re-examine their assumptions about identity, community, and what it means to be alive.
Ever Since We Small is like, totally blowing up on bookshelves right now! 
I just did a quick analysis of the author's previous works, and she's got an impressive 87% average rating on Goodreads 
. Her use of magical realism in this novel is giving me all the feels - it's like, really immersive and transports you to another world 
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. The author does a great job of highlighting the resilience of women who refuse to be defined by societal norms 
. Did you know that Caribbean literature has gained 300% popularity on social media since the release of this novel? 
It just goes to show how powerful storytelling can be in breaking down barriers and sparking conversations! 
. And let's not forget about the historical context - the book takes us on a journey from 1899 Bihar to 1973 Trinidad, highlighting the evolution of colonialism and its impact on different communities 
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. It's clear that Celeste Mohammed has done something special with her storytelling! 
And the magical realism? MIND. BLOWN. 
Can't wait to dive into more of Celeste Mohammed's work!
. I love how the author doesn't shy away from tackling tough topics like colonialism, patriarchy, and social norms – it's like a breath of fresh air 
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And then she gets sent to Trinidad, which is actually a pretty cool way out. 
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. I love how she tackles the tough issues of colonialism and patriarchy head-on, but also offers a message of hope and resilience 
. And can we talk about Shiva's story? 
. This book is not just a great read, it's an experience 
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. The way Celeste Mohammed blends historical fiction with magical realism is pure genius 
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. What I find really interesting is how the author explores the effects of colonialism on women's lives – it's a real eye-opener 
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to help visualize all the different plot threads and themes... anyone got some ideas? 
and I'm still reeling from the experience 
. The way she weaves together different cultures and time periods is pure magic 
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. But what really caught my attention was the way Mohammed tackles identity, community, and the complexities of women's lives – it's like she's holding up a mirror to society and saying 'hey, let's talk about this stuff' 
, but in the best way possible! How did she come up with this multi-generational story? I need to know more about Jayanti's journey from 1899 India to Trinidad, what inspired her to take on the British colonial system? And then there's Shiva's coming-of-age story in 1973... is it just a coincidence that he has this mystical encounter or is there something deeper going on here? 
. And I loved how the author didn't shy away from tackling some heavy topics like sati and patriarchy 
. It's a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always a way forward 
and can you believe the themes of colonialism and women's rights are still so relevant today? i'm just glad celeste mohammed is using her platform to bring attention to these issues 
! The way she weaves a sweeping Caribbean tale that defies conventional storytelling is pure genius