Novels: 1. Non-fiction Albury, K.A.(2009). Life on a Rock. BookSurge Publishing. ISBN: 1439210063 The author paints a vivid, heartfelt and surprising picture of Caribbean life. It is the true story of a woman, Kate who lived on Highborne Cay, Exuma, in the Bahamas for five years. She learned about courage and patience as she continually faced dangerous situations such as armed robbery, drug traders and illegal immigrants, to medical mishaps and disasters at sea, in a place that had no doctor, no police nor other emergency personnel. Her everyday experiences in an isolated surrounding exposed a fresh and thought-provoking view of unusual events that were part of her life on this tiny, unprotected island in the Caribbean. 2. Contemporary Elliot, Wayne. (2010).That dreadful Bahamian sunrise. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN: 1450048455 To put different cultures together for a good cause is excellent. But when that element plot to overthrow a government and change it constitutions for its own good would be downright dangerous. Joseph ‘Joe Monk” Martin, a known racketeer, with many Bahamian elite and law officers in his back pocket joined forces with Charley John a Haitian national who was high up on the rank in his embassy. Together they hitched a plan with ex-general Pierre to unleash their diabolical plan on the unsuspected Bahamians. 3. Infuse Phillips, Caryl. Dancing in the dark. Vintage. 2006. ISBN: 1400079837 the first black entertainer in the United States to reach the highest levels of fame and fortune. Even as an eleven-year-old child living in Southern California in the late 1800s–his family had recently emigrated from the Bahamas–Bert Williams had trouble understooding and accepting “the role that America had set aside for him.” At the age of twenty-two, after years of struggling for success on the stage, he made the radical decision to do his own “impersonation of a negro”: he donned blackface makeup and played the “coon” as a character. Behind this mask, he became a Broadway headliner. Williams was a man of great intelligence, elegance, and dignity, but the barriers he broke down onstage continued to bear heavily on his personal life, and the contradictions between the man he was and the character he played were increasingly irreconcilable for him. 4. Classic Hemmingway, Ernest. Island in the stream. Scribners. 1970. ISBN: 0684837870 First published in 1970, nine years after Hemingway's death, this is the story of an artist and adventurer. Beginning in the 1930s, Islands in the Stream follows the fortunes of Thomas Hudson, from his experiences as a painter on the Gulf Stream island of Bimini through his antisubmarine activities off the coast of Cuba during World War II. 5. Contemporary Terwilliger, Robert. Betrayed: Murder in The Bahamas. Spring Tide Publishing. (2005)
Betrayed! Murder in the Bahamas, is a fictional blow by blow account of the life and times of big-time drug dealer Chino Rodriguez and his infamous associates. Climb into Chino and Company’s: minds, bedrooms, and jail cells as you traverse Betrayed’s pages and race across the vast waterways of the Bahamas. 6. Infuse Frew, James. In the wake of the Leopard. Editech Pr. 1990. ISBN: 0945586078 following World War II a horrible hurricane wipes away everything in the Caribbean. A young boy in search for adventure and truth gains his interest when he discovers an emerald brooch in the Southern Bahamas. Poems:
1. Infuse Burrows, Deborah. “THANKSGIVING IN THE BAHAMAS.” (1999) Many years ago as we've been told Pilgrims landed on America shores Remembered for their gifts of love Shared with natives living there Surviving those long winter months Who would have thought Their kindness would cross the seas To our small Bahama Land! We celebrate Thanksgiving With turkey and pumpkin pie to! It is a time to give God thanks For richly blessing our Bahama Land! The adoption of this tradition Inspires us to reach out to those in need And draw closer to our divine purpose To be sincerely thankful for all God has done!
2. Contemporary Dames, Dennis. “A Poem in love with the Bahamas.” (2005). Nassau Bahamas. I am in love with The Bahamas... Where the tropical sunshine is satisfyingly constant The sacred ocean; jewel of many colors... Eternal sand, richly adorn the seashores... With colors of coral, white and more Trees of green, and tropical fruits in season... Catch of the day is always delightfully blessed Conch in abundance, yellow tail and lobster... The gifts of the sea... from heaven above Fish of many kinds... Cooked in local and exotically tasteful ways Sailing's a culture... The ocean’s a way of life Fowls of above enjoy their habitats... Majestically singing their role …In a splendidly native scenery Peoples of the world cherish the Bahamas...
Bahamians are awakening to their natural treasures Valuing more their blessings from above… An archipelago of families, history and love A nation that believes in God I am in love with The Bahamas... A place where thankfulness, happiness …And peacefulness reside (If it’s not already lost) I can show you what my poem means.
3. Non fiction Rehming, B. Melvin.“Strands.” (1989). Nassau Bahamas. I guess I just aint gat no head for weaving Dough de cotton tree and me Live very near each odder. NO, PAPA! DON’T YA KILL DAT SPIDER: MAYBE IT CAN SHOW TA ME A TING OR TWO BOUT SPIRALS AN SYMMETRY. Dis web of life I been weaving fer some time Just aint been spirallin right; I just cant seem to get all dem distant strands To pass back tru de centreI probly aint start dem off right in de first place. NO PAPA! DON’T YA KILL DAT SPIDER: MAYBE IT CAN SHOW TA ME WHAT DIS LIFE OF MINE BEEN HIDIN FROM ME, HOW YA GET SPIRALS AN SYMMETRY OUT A 300 YEARS A SLAVIN HISTORY, 300 YEARS A WORKIN ROUND DE COTTON TREE. Now watch me spread my literary presence. Watch me prove the uselessness Of this shift away from the Bahamian dialect. Watch me crawl between the lines of immediacy and distance. Perhaps by losing the thread
See? I have already spun myself out Across the strands of my own weaving: I have become entangled in the web Of my lines of jerky parallel And convenient repetition. But I have failed to demonstrate Either with native or foreign grace The nature of the spiral, the grace of symmetry. But don’t you dare equate my failure With a momentary lack of aptitude: The lack, you see, is permanent. And do not think my limitation is self-imposed: I am most adequate when I perceive most clearly The fact of my confinement. Remember my attachment to the cotton tree And know that I am prone to be strung-out Across the myriad strands of my own weavingNO, PAPA, DON’T YA KILL DAT SPIDER! LET ME WATCH TILL I AM RECONCILED TO THREE GODDAMNED HUNDERED YEARS OF SLAVIN ON MY ASS BY A SPIRALLIN, SYMMETRICAL, BAHAMIAN COTTON TREE. Or, failing that, let me contrive At least this esoteric vindication.
4. Classic Dames, A .Dennis. “Aaliyah tribute.” (2001). Nassau Bahamas.
I met you when you had suddenly departed stunned I was like many of the broken hearted Your wondrous beauty now I see and your amazing songs you sing for me Your graceful presence with us was short perhaps another place you must report Your memory lives on in our hearts where it will always not depart Aaliyah, from us you have gone but your great legacy will live on Aaliyah, live we may but die we must
your life is an example for the rest of us Continue to think big and live neat Aaliyah, stay forever young and remain eternally sweet 5. Contemporary Dames, A .Dennis. “Freedom and Peace.” (2000). Nassau Bahamas. Riding along the coastline one bright and shining day Zephyr’s blowing lightly across my happy face Ocean spray's dancing in the air Trees welcoming their fair share Choppy is the sea mode Not a good day for fishing The gentle breeze freezes my thoughts… enjoying the freedom, a peaceful sport The clouds stand still in the sky… along the horizon they appear asleep Not moving in the breezy heap the sun too, appears to dream Resting still above the air stream Low pressure is in the air Cool and windy the atmosphere Moving along without a care Freedom and peace the perfect pair
6. Non fiction Dames, A .Dennis. “HIV/AIDS” (2013). Nassau, The Bahamas AIDS is here AIDS is there AIDS is everywhere! Ignorance increases the spread as HIV shows its dreadful head Infidelity is a cause as HIV spreads its deadly paws Condoms continue to leak as HIV shows no peak Education is the key Promiscuity shouldn't be AIDS don't play… take heed if you may
Short stories 1. Infuse Wallace, J. Susan. “The Bootlegger.” Back Home. Singapore. 1992. (Pgs. 31-36). ISBN:0582100305
A Bahamian man is involved in illegal trade with Americans. His wife and he are under quarantine for a disease that is going around the Island. Being under quarantine and trying to stay out of trouble with his illegal trade action makes for an exciting read of how the partners escape from the coast guard. 2. Classic Wallace, J. Susan. “Single Seven.” Back Home. Singapore. 1992. (Pgs. 38-57). ISBN:0582100305 A preacher’s wife and her best friend are secretly gambling. Every morning the preacher and his wife have breakfast and read their daily scripture. After the preacher leaves in the morning to go to work, the best friend comes over and the two ladies discuss the hints they think they are receiving from the scriptures. They take their hints and play the scripture numbers for money. 3. Contemporary Wallace, J. Susan. “The Strange Mourner.” Back Home. Singapore. 1992. (Pgs. 60-65). ISBN:0582100305 The story starts off being set at a funeral. The author takes time to describe various attendees and their outfits of choice. To call order and clear the road there were two marching bands leading the processional of the funeral. It was as if they were in competition because one marching band gained more followers than the other. During the funeral there is a mystery going on. Someone is stealing various items from the people at the funeral. 4. Contemporary Wallace, J. Susan. “Back Home.” Back Home. Singapore. 1992. (Pgs. 7-12). ISBN:0582100305 Back Home- A young man named Ronald moved from the Island of Andros to the busy island of Nassau Bahamas. Ronald is extremely home sick and misses his wife, child, and lifestyle; Ronald was a school teacher. During Ronald’s break down he became close to this young boy named David who lived in the same building. The young boy needed help with his homework because he heard Ronald use to be a teacher. Throughout their time together the young boy showed Ronald how precious life is and how much his family meant more than his current job. By the end of the story, Ronald decided to go back home. 5. Contemporary Wallace, J. Susan. “The Last to Let You Down.” Back Home. Singapore. 1992. (Pgs. 71-85). ISBN:0582100305 The last to let you down-This story is about a family with relatable characters for the reader. The youngest daughter is very selfish and learns valuable lessons while her father is sick. For example, she finds that she can help around the house and her mother with chores and her father. The story mainly covers the hardships of dealing with life insurance. The mom and father went to numerous accountants and talked to various friends to find out their best options. 6. Non fiction
McDermott, Ileana. “Market Street in the Thirties.” Bahamian Anthology. London. 1991. (Pgs. 22-24). ISBN:0333348184 Market Street in the Thirties- tells a story about a young girl growing up. Her father worked in the first dry cleaner placed in Market Street. She describes the fresh paint, the noise of the tools and he excitement of the people. The story takes a sad toll when she explains that the beloved place no longer exists due to natural disasters. She goes on to explain that she can still hear the sweet music and imagine the happy voices and friendly customers. Classic Children story: Glinton, Patricia. “B’er Bouki, B’er Partridge, and the cow.”An evening in Guanima (a treasury of folktales from the Bahamas). 1993. This moral of this children’s story is just desserts. This funny delightful children’s story is about two friends who worked for a farmer to get a cow to feed their families. Bouki cleverly found a way to get out of all the work and left Partridge to pick up his slack. Once the two friends got the cow and were heading home, they kept running into women with sad sob stories about their hungry children and asked for some of their cow. The audience is let in on a secret about the mystery women. Partridge also noticed the very same interesting fact and found his own clever way of getting all his meat back for his family.
Movies: Contemporary “Why Did I Get Married Too?” (2010). Lionsgate. Tyler Perry. Why did I get married, too is a sequel to Why did I get married? Directed by Tyler Perry. The premise of the film is about four couples who all went to college together and have been through the highest and lowest of times together. Every year the couples take an annual couples retreat to their time share in the Bahamas. While the couples are there they reevaluate their marriages and reconnect to their friendships. Throughout their time in the Bahamas they delve themselves in activities and the culture.
Documentary: “The Islands of the Bahamas Travel Log Video Production.” (2011). Dreamtime Entertainment, Florid.
This documentary takes us on a journey of two tourists through Nassau Bahamas. The two travelers take us to the main attractions of the islands because The Bahamas makes their money off of tourists. A few of the main attractions are the deep sea diving. This allows you to get up close and personal to the fish and sharks in the ocean. Throughout the documentary the travelers informed us on the importance of the street markets, sandy beaches and the conch and fruit sold in various places in the Bahamas.
Erin Horton Ms. Kaywell Literary Criticism
Directed by Tyler Perry, Why did I get married, too is a sequel to Why did I get married? The premise of the film is about four couples who all went to college together and have been through the highest and lowest of times together. Every year the couples take an annual couples retreat to their time share in the Bahamas. While the couples are there they reevaluate their marriages and reconnect to their friendships. Throughout the movie, secrets kept from spouses were exposed as well as between friends. The most used line for when couples were at each other’s throats was “we are in paradise, we shouldn’t be fighting!” The couples hoped that time away from their everyday lives would release high pressure stress they were undergoing. Throughout their time in the Bahamas they delve themselves in activities and the culture. The guys utilized the jet skies and beer during their stay. The women on the other hand utilized the beaches, shops, drinks and music. Every morning the ladies cook breakfast together for the house.
This is usually when most of the secrets are revealed and where the audience learns more about the characters. In the background Caribbean music was being played, however they were cooking traditional American food for breakfast. The last day of the trip the ladies made friends with an older native couple. They invited them to their goodbye cookout where each couple shares their stories on why they got married. This scene is special and one of my favorites not only because the elder couple has a touching funny story, but because you can hear their accents and in a way feel their emotion. Their journey together was not an easy one and their story was meant to show the younger couples just how hard love can be. The movie only gave the half truth of the Bahamas. In other words, it only featured the glamorous side of islands of the Bahamas. From personal experience, The Bahamas are not solemnly glamorous with flawless sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean, bright lights and drinks on call. Just as any city in the world there are rough sides to The Bahamas. Most of the houses are very small and have no central air. Walking through the streets you can see a lot of residents in the street because it is just as hot inside as it is outside. More often than not all the window and doors are open to try and keep the house cool. One thing I really wished the film incorporated and highlighted were the street markets that are on every street and the authentic classic food of the islands. For a country known for their fish and fruit it was not featured in the film. One of the main breakfast food usually consists of chicken souse which is a soup dish served with sweet cake. The shops that were portrayed in the film were another polished idea of shops inside with air conditioner and bright lights. The majority of the markets that would be easily spotted are the street markets. These markets are outside, no air conditioning, and usually in a dim lighted area. If there is limited light it is because there is some time of covering, or when shops are so close together trying to have some shade from the burning sun. Over all, the movie did The Bahamas justice for the films intend purposes. It needed a beautiful beach scenery and they did just that. In the grand scheme of things, I do not think they incorporated the true essence of the island.