Thursday 8 April 2010

Canadian Novel

Finished April 4
The Amazing Absorbing Boy by Rabindranath Maharaj
This fascinating novel follows a young Trinidadian, Samuel, in his early life in Canada. When Samuel's mother dies, it is arranged that he joins his father in Canada.Samuel is sixteen and hasn't seen or heard from his father for years. He hopes for a warm welcome, but does not get it. His father barely talks to him and disappears without warning, sometimes for days. Samuel decides he must discover this country on his own. He is a good watcher and we see the new environment and the people he meets through his eyes. He spends a lot of time alone, but closely observes what he sees.
I found it interesting to see things through his eyes and interpretations, to revisist that sense of newness with things unfamiliar. Samuel is a practical boy and carefully considers his actions beforehand. There is humour and intelligence here and a genuine interest in the world around him. A very enjoyable read.

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