Mr. Loverman: Background, no spoilers

[Bretnie]

Welcome to the discussion on Mr. Loverman, by Bernadine Evaristo!

This thread is for background info and anything non-spoiler.

I'll try to do some research and provide more as the discussion opens, but for now, who is joining us, and have you read any of her work before?

I nominated this book because I was enthralled with Girl, Woman, Other and was curious to read more of her work.

[Marc]

Alas, I really wanted to join in this one because I loved Girl, Woman, Other, but I'm behind on all my GR group reads. Hope it goes well. Thanks for leading the discussion, Bretnie!

[Bretnie]

I found it to be a relatively fast read, and we have all month to discuss if you change your mind. :)

[Marc]

I'll keep that in mind. :)

[Hugh]

I am looking forward to this discussion, as I really enjoyed the book. I am not sure whether I can fit a reread in this month, but I remember the book well enough to contribute regardless.

[Sam]

Those reading this can see it is well-suited for audio and ﹰI am delighted with the dual narration of Ron Butler and Robin Miles. This is also an included audiobook in the audio plus membership at the U.S.regional Audible.

[Mark]

I'm in! My library came through.

[♑︎♑︎♑︎]

I've also just read this novel. I'm looking forward to our discussion. There is so much that surprised me, so much I loved, and a few things that left me scratching my head.

[Suzy]

Count me in - it's been a while since I've participated in a 21stC group read. I'm about 20% into the audiobook and as Sam said I'm "delighted with the dual narration . . ." Looking forward to hearing what others think.

[Bretnie]

So glad we've got people joining the discussion!

I did the audiobook as well and loved both narrators.

One thing that intrigued me from the beginning was that this was a female author writing about a man's coming out experience.

I had some trouble finding great interviews with the author (before she got big?) but I liked these two:
http://blacklooks.org/2014/07/bernadi...
https://fivedials.com/interviews/olde...

In the first, she says “I like the challenge of writing beyond my own culture (I’m not Caribbean), gender, age, sexuality and so forth, but it does mean that I have to work hard to create authenticity with my characters. To make them totally believable and convincing.” I'll be curious in the full discussion threads how well you think she accomplishes this.

[Suzy]

Thanks for the articles, Bretnie, and I will think about Evaristo's intent as I continue reading.

Haha, I just figured out what OAP was! Old Age Pensioner, a term not used in the U.S.

[Bretnie]

I think I killed the discussion, so I'll just leave you with with the youtube video of Shabba Ranks's Mr Loverman, that Evaristo quotes at the end of the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J83TL...

I didn't find anything from the lyrics that added to the book, but I thought it was at least worth sharing. :)

[Suzy]

Bretnie wrote: "I think I killed the discussion, so I'll just leave you with with the youtube video of Shabba Ranks's Mr Loverman, that Evaristo quotes at the end of the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J83T..."

Wow - that's another time and place. (Thanks for posting - saved me from having to search :))