The Other Side of Paradise Discussion

[onegirl]

I'll start the discussion thread but I just got the book, so discuss away!

[Moneque]

I finished this book this past weekend and I enjoyed it. I had to keep reminding myself it was a memoir....it definitely reads like fiction. I will say the book definitely confirms some things I had heard about the homophobia in Jamaica which is unfortunate. Overall, I was rooting for Stacey to maintain her individuality despite her circumstances.

[Lisa]

I just finished the book, I am ready to start the discussion. It is a fairly easy to read, well written memoir. I also found myself rooting for Staceyann, she has overcome so much in her life.

[Crystal]

I started this book when it was first published and found it interesting but I didn't finish it...maybe now I will, since it seems as everyone has enjoyed it so far.

[Wes]

Just started it today - Seems like it'll be a good read.

[Wes]

Just finished up the "As for Me and My House, We Will Serve The Lord" chapter.... I'm beginning to feel a "way" about how Staceyann is being treated... Although she is still a young child, it is clear that her way of thinking is more contemporary than those around her. She is beginning to get punished for her individuality and it sucks!

[Continualknowledge]

What are other overall thoughts about the book. I LOVE this book. I feel like it took quite a bit for StaceyAnn to be vulnerable in the way that a memoir of this caliber requires. I appreciate her openness and her willingness to share her life.

Wes, I think we definitely see that children are to be seen and not heard. A lot of people don't value individualness that children have.

[onegirl]

I know I'm super late to the discussion, but schoolwork called. I actually felt bad for Staceyann through most of the book. She never seemed to catch a break. I liked her outspokenness, and the fact that she was always honest. I wish more people listened to her.

I don't know what is/was wrong with her mother. She seemed to be crazy to me, but we didn't learn that much about her. One minute she was happy to see her children and spend time with them, and the next she is beating them. I didn't like her mom at all. Her "dad" wasn't much better either, though.

I enjoyed the book, I just wish her life wasn't so hard. No one should have to grow up like that. :(

[Continualknowledge]

onegirl wrote: "I enjoyed the book, I just wish her life wasn't so hard. No one should have to grow up like that. :(

You are right onegirl no one should have to grow up like that, yet plenty of people grow up like that and some much worse.

I do appreciate Staceyann's willingness to share her story with the world. But also the fact that her story has some meaning for others. I love the theme of creating family and that family can be those who support you and care for you and not those who birthed you. But she also shows how we want to be connected to the family that births us, even when they mean us no good. And so family times are important from a variety of angles.