Minty Alley
by C.L.R James
Buy on AmazonThere is a strong belief among devotees of C.L.R. James that it is not possible to have full comprehension of Caribbean literary art in English without first reading Minty Alley. Although frequently reprinted in the United Kingdom, Minty Alley at last reaches the United States. In this ground-breaking novel, James discerns new forms of society rooted in the oldest of desires and aspirations through the interactions of the characters of Maisie, Haynes, Mrs. Rouse, and Benoit. In the everyday language and unforgettable dialogue James reveals new modes of human relationships. Haynes, a young middle-class lodger at No. 2 Minty Alley, becomes both confidant and judge as he examines the other inhabitants at this address.…
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"I think there’s a moment in every publisher’s life when you find a book that you wish you’d published. For me this is definitely Minty Alley , written by C.L.R. James in the late 1920s, and undiscovered by many despite various editions remaining in print ever since. I can remember a friend recommending the book to me and having no idea who the author was or what the novel was about, and then having my eyes opened in the best possible way. This novel is one of those books that reaffirms your understanding of what it is to be human, of what it means to be part of a community and to move from the fringes to the centre of the action. It would make for a wonderful film adaptation. To discover a powerful modern classic as an adult is an utter privilege. While I would have loved to include this book on the Manderley Press list, a fantastic new edition was recently published by Penguin as part of a series of titles celebrating Black Britain , introduced by Bernardine Evaristo and beautifully illustrated by Joy Yamusangie. It’s a glorious book, inside and out."
Forgotten 20th-Century Classic Books · fivebooks.com