Children of Kaywana

Kawyana Saga #1

by Edgar Mittelhölzer

Book by Mittelholzer, Edgar

Genres: Historical

Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Orlando Fato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why this epic saga is out of print is beyond reason. This is Edgar Mittelholzer's first installment of the Kaywana Trilogy. The novel deals with the history of British Guiana and the Van Groenwegels, who are a narcissistic clan obsessed with becoming the most powerful and notorious family of planters of the Guianas.

While the story is told through six generations of Van Groenwegels, Kaywana and Hendrickje stand out as the most interesting and influential characters of the clan. Kaywana is the daughter of an indigenous woman and an English sailor arrived in Berbice with Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595. She is a jet of fire, and she has her own ideas when it comes to crime and punishment. She becomes a role model for the entire clan, especially Hendrickje van Groenwegel. Hendrickje is the great-granddaughter of Kaywana. She is cruel with her slaves as well as with those of her family members whom she regards as "weaklings". Besides, she is an atheist, and she is not ashamed of her natural urges. Hendrickje is also often referenced in "The Harrowing of Hubertus" (Kaywana Stock) and "Kaywana blood" as a role model for the Van Groenwegels throughout the entire trilogy.

The main theme of the novel can be summed up by Hendrickje when she says: "The family is what matters. The family must come before all other considerations. You must keep repeating to yourselves: I come from a great family. I must never let down the family name. I am proud that I am a van Groenwegel. The van Groenwegels never run." However, this novel is not only about family pride; this is an epic story about slavery and insurrections, loyalty and vengeance, obeah and religion, fauna and flora, love and... Reading this novel felt like being at a banquet.

This is the 13th novel that I have read by Edgar Mittelholzer, and I consider it to be superb. The Peepal Tree Press has reissued five of Edgar Mittelholzer's Caribbean novels. Hopefully, the Kaywana Trilogy will soon be next. Of the three books, "Children of Kaywana" and "Kaywana Blood" are my favorite, which are the first and third installments of the trilogy. "The Harrowing of Hubertus" (Kaywana Stock) seems more like a spin-off, and I did not find it added that much to the main theme of the trilogy. I have also written reviews about these two installments.

If you're interested in another larger than life character from the Guianas during the colonial times, check out Cynthia McLeod's "The Free Negress Elisabeth". It is the story of Elisabeth Samson, who became one of the wealthiest free, black women in 18th-century Dutch Guiana.

[Kalilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing account of the lives of an unusual family through multiple generations in Dutch Guiana. Mittelholzer paints a vivid picture of the brutality and difficulty of early colonial life. The van Groenewegen are a bombastic, ruthless, arrogant lot and their history is far from dull. I found myself with a grudging respect for even the most vicious of the characters for there is something honorable, respectable and heroic in standing ones ground even in the face of impossible odds. It was an uncertain and violent time and there is something to be said for a philosophy which does not shirk from the violence of life.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend. I wasnt sure i was going to read it but i have to admit even though it is an older story i have really enjoyed it. I was actually really intrigued with it and wanted to find out what would happen to the characters. I am disgusted that how people were treated and the fact that we still see some of these acts perpetrated here still happen in this day and age. I dont mean the actual torture but the persecution because of race. I am looking forward to trying to find copies of the next two books in the series.

[Nicole Issel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping saga of abuse, love, lust, family honour and dysfunction. Emotional turmoil within personalities of perpetrator and victim alike is depthly described. A highly charged read with a well described story of life and battling within an historical setting of slave worked tobacco plantations, including the intricacies of behaviour within and among the European, Indians, black slaves and those who are born between these identities as much as each individual themselves.

[Herman Stephens]

Fiction and history blend to present us with an enthralling episode of passion, love, expressively compelling motivations, and a strong preoccupation with family values, power, and continuity. A brilliant and colorful depiction of character traits. It's the type of novel that makes you wonder if your history is somewhat intertwined in this saga. My mom is of Arawak descent.

[Michele Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much better read than the cover suggests. Read for personal interest as my family has Guyanese ancestry so I managed to get hold of a second-hand copy. Very much worth reading even if you do not know anything about Guyana, very well written and eye-opening fiction. I will be reading some more of Edgar Mittelholzer.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a breathtaking account of a piece of history I had absolutely zero idea about. I was gripped virtually the entire way through. It’s seriously sad that this book is out of print and I hope it returns to print some day.

[Laurence Sugar]

A very good read if you are interested in that horrible history of the slave trade