Slipstream

by Rachel Manley

In the wake of her beloved father's death, Rachel Manley turned inward to try to understand him and to explore the impact of those final moments.  Michael Manley, charismatic, controversial prime minister of Jamaica, had stood at the heart of a decade of radical social reform in the 70s.  From the vantage of her father's bedside during his last six months of life, his daughter searches the shadows that he cast on her as a child and as a woman - the shadows that familiarly touch daughters and fathers but are inevitably thrown more fiercely by famous parents over their children.  With honestly and deep feeling she shares her love and pain, and explores how the enduring bonds that held them were tested time and again, not only by the ordinary conflicts of family life but by the heavy demands of the political arena and by a succession of five marriages.  The Slipstream is a shining portrait of one man's enormous heart and undying spirit, and a testament to the ways in which courage and love can inspire us all to soar.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Rachel Manley is the author of the memoir Drumblair: Memories of a Jamaican Childhood, which won the Governor General’s Award for Non-fiction in 1997, and Slipstream: A Daughter Remembers. She has also published three books of poetry and edited Edna Manley: The Diaries, a collection of her grandmother’s journals. Manley is a New York Public Library Fellow, a Pierre Berton Fellow, a Rockefeller Fellow (Bellagio), and a former Bunting Fellow for Literature at Radcliffe College. She serves on the creative writing faculty at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has won Jamaica’s prestigious Centennial Medal for Poetry. Manley divides her time between Toronto and Jamaica. She has two sons, Drum and Luke.

Reviews

[Maisie Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slipstream

Once I started reading, it was difficult to put the book down to either eat or go to sleep. Rachel is an excellent story teller. The characters are introduced and carried along very effectively to make the stories relatable and truthful. Can’t wait to read more books by Rachel Manley.

[Christa Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A beautifully written memoir that taught me some things about history and politics, while drawing me into the emotional personal story.

[Paige Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language Ms. Manley uses in her writing is so beautiful. Picked this book up just "because it was there". Had no real knowledge or interest in Michael Manley, but was intrigued by the father/daughter relationship. Her telling of those last months of her father's life as well as the memories of her childhoold and grandparents, made this a truly beautiful read.

[Rob & Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Manley looks back at her father's life and their relationship after his death.

Liz