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Long Time Walk On Water
A black woman and single mum, starting over. A white man who wants something more. Will they take a chance on each other? Everyting gonna be alright? London, 1960. Rose is looking for a new start. Thousands of miles away from her Caribbean home, she scrapes together money to send for her children while adjusting to a strange, new England. Jack’s working-class London life is full of disillusionment. He cares little for his council flat, his town, or even his wife. The only thing that gives his life sparkle? His Jamaican friends down at the docks. When Jack meets Rose at a bus stop, a new and unexpected future unfolds… If you like rich settings and realistic Long Time Walk on Water. This captivating multicultural historical novel with its splash of something quite unique, its touch of romance, reggae style, will win your heart forever. Told with pride, poise, humour and grace, this modern classic by Joan Barbara Simon, literary terrorist, will have you shouting about if from the rooftops! ‘Rich, complex and beautifully written. It is something unlike anything I've read before and yet it's recognisable and resonant because all of life is in it. An absorbing and affecting read.’ (online reviewer) ‘Beautifully crafted (...) will leave the reader as changed as Simon’s characters. Highly, highly recommended.’ (Dan Holloway)
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 14, 2017
Joan Barbara Simon’s ‘Long Time Walk on Water’, is a phenomenon. There’s nothing ordinary, pedestrian, or conventional in this story of love, lust, prejudice, violence and parental brutality.
An adherent of secular, as opposed to faith-based, philosophy, I’m already biased against the cruel, arbitrary, and unjust interpretation of so-called sacred myths that spread brutality and inconsistent tradition as an intrinsic aspect of their hypocritical proselytising. So there are facets of this complex and undeniably brilliant piece of work that, for me, may work against the author’s intentions.
Nevertheless, the characters are exquisitely drawn and depicted free of authorial judgment. I heartily loathed some of them for their unthinking clinging to the ways of their ignorant parents, but others I found inspiring with their courage and forbearance.
The author is fair in her depiction of both genders, though I found most of the men to be quite justly given a negative slant I felt they fully deserved.
Whilst I have real sympathy for the inclusion of Jamaican patois, I felt too much of the novel was conveyed in this esoteric lingo. Combined with the frequent time shifts, the dialect served as much to confuse this reader as to educate, inform and entertain him. Sometimes, the modern aphorism ‘less is more’ has validity!
Racial prejudice is shown to be equally prevalent amongst Jamaicans as it is among Brits. And in both cases it’s clear such prejudice is the child of ignorance educated by intolerant tradition.
This is a fascinating book and I found it entertaining, frustrating, informative, startling, depressing, elevating and engaging. By no means easy, it is nonetheless a book I’m very glad to have read.
An adherent of secular, as opposed to faith-based, philosophy, I’m already biased against the cruel, arbitrary, and unjust interpretation of so-called sacred myths that spread brutality and inconsistent tradition as an intrinsic aspect of their hypocritical proselytising. So there are facets of this complex and undeniably brilliant piece of work that, for me, may work against the author’s intentions.
Nevertheless, the characters are exquisitely drawn and depicted free of authorial judgment. I heartily loathed some of them for their unthinking clinging to the ways of their ignorant parents, but others I found inspiring with their courage and forbearance.
The author is fair in her depiction of both genders, though I found most of the men to be quite justly given a negative slant I felt they fully deserved.
Whilst I have real sympathy for the inclusion of Jamaican patois, I felt too much of the novel was conveyed in this esoteric lingo. Combined with the frequent time shifts, the dialect served as much to confuse this reader as to educate, inform and entertain him. Sometimes, the modern aphorism ‘less is more’ has validity!
Racial prejudice is shown to be equally prevalent amongst Jamaicans as it is among Brits. And in both cases it’s clear such prejudice is the child of ignorance educated by intolerant tradition.
This is a fascinating book and I found it entertaining, frustrating, informative, startling, depressing, elevating and engaging. By no means easy, it is nonetheless a book I’m very glad to have read.
April 17, 2019
An interesting read that combined a range of stories to briefly display not just the foundations of the Jamaican culture but also how it adapted and integrated with the British one. I particularly like the use of different characters point of views; age, gender and cultural influences on perception is highly fascinating. The incorporation of the language was a necessary and beautiful part of setting the scene, though I would also have like more insight into the food and more description of smells to really engage all the senses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2020
I was really looking forward to reading this book. My wife and I have just finished Steve McQueen's 5-parter Small Axe on BBC 1, which we enjoyed, and this book, I felt, would wrap it up nicely and give a greater understanding of the West Indian immigration situation in London in the 1960's.
Unfortunately I couldn't understand it. The dialogue is ALL written in a strange Jamaican patois, coming across as little more than Pigeon English, and I gave up on the book at 17%.
Shame, perhaps there was a story in there, but I'll never know
Unfortunately I couldn't understand it. The dialogue is ALL written in a strange Jamaican patois, coming across as little more than Pigeon English, and I gave up on the book at 17%.
Shame, perhaps there was a story in there, but I'll never know
June 30, 2022
Not really a novel
This was more like a bunch of sketches loosely tied together, threads of a story rather than a story itself. The writing was an interesting use of language, weaving standard English and Jamaican patois almost seamlessly from one part of the tale to the next, but there really wasn’t much of a story to it.
This was more like a bunch of sketches loosely tied together, threads of a story rather than a story itself. The writing was an interesting use of language, weaving standard English and Jamaican patois almost seamlessly from one part of the tale to the next, but there really wasn’t much of a story to it.
August 19, 2022
I loved this book! I highly recommend reading and you will not be disappointed! Since I've been to Jamaica several times, reading the book was quite easy. The trials and tribulations for some of the children are quite horrible. The woman were strong and at tines had to leave their children behind. Please read and keep an open mind!
August 15, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. When I read the blurb for this book, I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I was pleasantly surprised. This was a great romance about an interracial couple in the 1960s. Definitely worth reading.
May 30, 2019
Not as good as book one
Personally, I wasn't interested in any of the characters except Rose and James (Jack), so Gertrude and her siblings didn't interest me.
I was disappointed that this book wasn't their story.
Personally, I wasn't interested in any of the characters except Rose and James (Jack), so Gertrude and her siblings didn't interest me.
I was disappointed that this book wasn't their story.
May 20, 2020
Powerful and Intense
Written so wonderfully with deep emotional values. Luscious descriptions using conversations. Such a delightful journey of truth. Keep writing, you are genius at work.
Written so wonderfully with deep emotional values. Luscious descriptions using conversations. Such a delightful journey of truth. Keep writing, you are genius at work.
July 20, 2017
I have to admit this one surprised me once I sat still to read it. Really good read
November 16, 2019
Disjointed story
I feel very sorry when I can't get into a book. There were too many characters and skipping from one place to another. Just not my kind of writing.
I feel very sorry when I can't get into a book. There were too many characters and skipping from one place to another. Just not my kind of writing.
February 29, 2020
Real
Honest, exciting, true to culture, a great read! The characters are very realistic, everyone knows Rose. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the first volume and ready for the second.
Honest, exciting, true to culture, a great read! The characters are very realistic, everyone knows Rose. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the first volume and ready for the second.
August 22, 2021
Maybe it's the text to speech that I use to read books or it was too intellectual for me right now but I couldn't get into this book.
December 30, 2021
Captivating book
A captivating story about the early immigrants' lives and struggles to make a better life for them and their families.
A captivating story about the early immigrants' lives and struggles to make a better life for them and their families.
February 27, 2023
2 volumes but one story
Jamaican tales of people who wanted a new life and new lives. A bit difficult to understand at times. Just not for me.
Jamaican tales of people who wanted a new life and new lives. A bit difficult to understand at times. Just not for me.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews