Reflection1 on Brother Man

Brother Man. A very interesting book. So far, this book has caught my attention span for quite a good while, which I honestly didn't think will happen.

At first I had assumed that it would be an on and off kind of thing, but surprisingly it kept me reading longer than I thought I would be. Aside from the mindboggling language and grammar the plot is quite distinctive to many others that I have had the privilege of reading.

In the earlier stages of the novel, we learn of various characters and their baseline/fundamental personalities. Papacita, for example, the typical player, who never seem to get enough (of money or women). Brother Man, on the other hand, is like another Ghandi. Just black and more elemental.

The relationship between Papacita and his girl, Girlie is quite queer, yet one can relate because it is very common in these modern times, especially in the Caribbean. This relationship in contrast to that of Brother Man and Minette is like the lion and the lamb situation... guess who's the lamb?
The relationship between Brother Man and Minette is very father and daughter like, but it seems as though Minette wants a little more affection and intimacy thrown in. It also looks like Brother Man knows and, is trying for the life of him, to keep it from happening.

Jesmina's relationship with her sister, Cordelia has a lot of love flowing. When Cordelia takes ill, Jesmina not only takes care of her but also her nephew (Cordy's son). Real love and consideration is only found in here and also in the relationship between Jesmina and Minette, Jesmina and Brother Man, and Jesmina and Shine. (It seems like all the love is revolving around Jesmina, certain characters should get to know her. They will learn a thing or two.)

It seems as though I am focusing wholly on relationships. This is so because it is one of the novel's major themes, along with deception, superstition (paranoia), obeah, the religion of the rastafari, the roles of women in society, and the moral values of each character in the novel.
I definitely must say that this is a good read, for both literature students and for anyone who loves books.

I must go back to the relationship between Brother Man and Minette, in where Brother Man offers her guidance and love, when she obviously wants "love" in a totally different context. What say you on the matter?

I also wonder what has become of Cordelia's state of mind. Has she fully recovered from her fever or is she just becoming more paranoid by the second? She is not only scaring the people in the book, but me as well. I believe it could be depression, desperation or both. Although I don't agree with her abandoning Brother Man and going to see Brother Ambo all I can say is she has got to start somewhere. The best, of course is prayer.

Have you ever wondered where the little boy comes in? First, we are informed of his existence in the earlier chapters when he is stopped by a plain clothes police man and asked questions, about his errand and sling shot, the second is when he asks Brother Man for the bird to eat, the third time is when Brother Man offers him money and teaches him a biblical lesson, as he was going to cook and eat the crab. Does he necessarily play a significant role? Just curious.

This novel is truly a Jamaican book to the heart. The use of language, the obeah, the characters' appearance and behaviour. Quite good and recommended for all literature students.