Folklore & Legends of Trinidad and Tobago

by Gerard Besson, Gaerard Besson

Long ago, as children, we would often go to the country for the long summer vacation. One of the distinct memories surviving from those times, along with those of river and sea excursions, huge meals and friends made for life, is of the stories that were told. More often than not they were created on the spot, as my Aunt Polly's smile would reveal, as she looked at my father with mild surprise when some incredible variant of an old tale came into his head. Drawing from a vast stock of standard information on the various folk characters of Trinidad and Tobago, he was able to innovate and create narratives that could cause us to either laugh with relief or quake in our shoes. This book seeks to show what these creatures look like and to tell something of their various attributes, and gives examples of how stories may be told.

Genres: Nonfiction

98 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Kevin Jared Hosein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this a few months ago as I was always interested in my home country's folkloric origins. It has always been one of the most interesting things about my culture and I think this book delivered on not only on some of the iconic creatures such as Papa Bois, the Soucouyant and the La Diablesse, but also gave a fascinating outlook on activities such as stick-fighting and limbo.

While I thought the descriptions were a bit meagre for some segments, especially of the Loup Garou, I quite enjoy owning this book and having it on my shelf not only for my own love of our folklore but of the artistic depictions in the book, especially that of the ink drawings of local artist Stuart Hahn.

[Anuradha Ramroop]

best book ever true facts

[Avante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book as a child and ever since then I wanted to read it again with a different mindset, glad I saw it here

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerard Besson's book on Trinidad and Tobago's folklore

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerard Besson's book on Trinidad and Tobago's folklore