Reading a James Michener novel is truly a form of comfort reading for me. I first embarked on this literary journey at around the age of 18, back in 1986, with the captivating "Hawaii". Over the years, I have delved into approximately five other of his works. Michener is what I affectionately refer to as a "long read". His novels require a significant amount of time and dedication to fully absorb. In fact, one might wonder if these massive tomes are intended to be read in a single sitting. I firmly believe that they are best savored over an extended period. When one's interest begins to wane and the desire to explore other literary offerings arises, it is perfectly acceptable to stop at a chapter. Then, months later, one can pick up the novel once again and continue the adventure. For instance, "Caribbean" took me a full 18 months to complete, but the experience was undeniably worthwhile.

The historical aspects of his novels always strike me as highly reliable, while the stories themselves are light-hearted and thoroughly entertaining. The characters he creates range from the forgettable and vacuous to the truly memorable and engaging. Although it is important not to rely solely on fiction for a comprehensive understanding of history, in the case of the Caribbean, I would likely not be inclined to read a great deal of non-fiction. Michener has a remarkable ability to present history in an entertaining and accessible manner, making his novels a joy to read.

Historical short stories, some bordering on novellas, offer a remarkable and comprehensive perspective of the Caribbean. They vividly showcase the region's diverse cultures and captivating history.

I derived great pleasure from delving into this history, finding it truly fascinating. Michener's writing has a certain allure when it comes to depicting both historical and fictional characters. However, the element of convenient serendipity that pervades all his fictional storylines here seems rather contrived. This makes his characters appear more one-dimensional. Each of them is portrayed as truly extraordinary and impressive, inevitably having significant roles to play in history.

Nevertheless, this book remains an excellent means to read and learn about the Caribbean, providing a sweeping overview of the region. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in expanding their knowledge but who may not be inclined towards dry historical accounts. It offers an engaging and accessible way to explore the rich tapestry of the Caribbean.

While there is no doubt that Michener's work is at risk with today's woke censors, he has crafted an engaging and historically accelerating account.

He delves into the various key developments that have shaped the wonderfully disparate yet related countries playing signature roles in making the Caribbean what it is today (or at least what it was when he wrote in 1989). Michener links fictionalized accounts based on well-researched episodes in a country's or region's history, such as "Texas", "Poland", and "Iberia".

In this book, he explores a wide range of topics. He discusses the original genocide of the Arawaks by the Caribb people and their subsequent extermination mostly by diseases brought in by other peoples. He also covers the Mayans, Columbus' "discovery" of Hispaniola, the English and Spanish wars, Cartagena, the pirates and Buccaneers, the earthquake in Jamaica, Haiti's rebellion, Barbados' development as "Little England" and its disturbing drift to a slavery-powered sugar plantation by greedy "planters", the issue of color in the Caribbean, Guadeloupe, Cuba, the failed effort to establish the Caribbean federation, the pride of the new leaders, Rastafarians, and even Trinidadians and other graduates of UWI seeking to reach the USA and gain resident status.

Despite some hokey fictionalized romances and the use of subsequent generations of earlier leaders to illustrate historical changes, Michener knows how to get the reader to ingest fundamentally accurate facts and tensions that still exist in the Caribbean today. It is an enjoyable way to deepen an outsider's appreciation of the complex and diverse Caribbean.

What a slog this has been!

Off and on, it has taken me literally 10 years to finish this book. I have read several other works by Michener, but this one is not a fun read.

First, it purports to be a "novel," but in my view that stretches the definition of "novel." It really is 16 novellas in chronological order, but for the most part (99%), they are simply unrelated to each other. Maybe a historical name is dropped here and there to add some continuity.

The last chapter attempts to tie it all together by placing a professor on a cruise throughout the Caribbean. There, she and her students stop at places addressed in the prior 15 chapters, and they come across persons distantly related to the characters mentioned in the prior chapters.

It is clear that Michener did a tremendous amount of work putting this together. However, in my view, it fails as a cohesive whole. The disjointed nature of the 16 novellas makes it difficult for the reader to form a unified understanding or connection. While each individual novella may have its own merits, the overall lack of cohesion detracts from the reading experience.

Perhaps Michener was trying to explore different aspects of Caribbean history and culture through these separate stories, but in the end, it feels more like a collection of random tales rather than a single, unified novel.

Despite this criticism, I still respect Michener's effort and research that went into this book. It is just that, for me, it did not quite achieve the level of excellence that I have come to expect from his other works.

Overall, this book is a disappointment, especially considering the amount of time and effort I put into reading it. I would not recommend it to others who are looking for a truly engaging and cohesive novel.

A huge book lies before me, brimming with an abundance of information. However, it can be a bit of a slog to get through, much like a typical textbook. When I take into account that the author was approximately 83 years old when he completed this remarkable work, I can't help but view it as an amazing effort. One aspect that I truly did not like was the creation of a fictional island to describe elements of the Caribbean world. This book aimed to be historically accurate, but that particular device made me question everything to a great extent. I am someone who typically prefers a book of around 300 pages or so. Nevertheless, I was able to persevere and get through it because each chapter was somewhat independent of the others. Instead, they tended to focus on a particular island, region, or time period, which made it a bit more manageable.

In addition to this, I read two other books by J. Michener (La baia and Alaska) which I really liked despite their limitations (stereotypical characters, repetitive personal events). What I appreciated most in both is the structure: one chapter for each major historical period relevant to the protagonist country, illustrated through the lives of fictional characters who perhaps come into contact with historical figures.

In Caraibi, this structure didn't work: the stereotyping of the characters is really excessive (with embarrassing points of racial and gender prejudices), the translation is not particularly careful (with terms that in Italian are not the correct ones to express the concept that wants to be conveyed, one for all: defining "colored" the people who have ancestors not exclusively traceable to white or black skin), and, above all, the banalization of the events of famous characters (Christopher Columbus, Drake, Morgan, Nelson, Toussaint Louverture) whose lives, reported in a few pages, seem more like a series of anecdotes unconnected to the historical context in which they lived.

The last two chapters (one dedicated to the Cuban exiles in Miami and the other to the events of Haiti) are more successful, perhaps because the author is inspired by contemporary facts for him. In fact, it is precisely for these two chapters that I was "lenient" in the evaluation.

I'm sorry because the other books I had read had led me to have different expectations: not a novel with memorable characters, but a series of events able to restore the spirit of the place reported in the title.

James A. Michener never disappoints.

His works are renowned for their vivid storytelling and in-depth exploration of various cultures and historical periods.

Whether it's a sweeping epic set in a distant land or a more intimate portrayal of a small community, Michener has the ability to transport readers to another world and make them feel as if they are part of the story.

His attention to detail and extensive research ensure that every aspect of his novels is accurate and believable.

Readers are drawn in by his complex characters, who face real challenges and make difficult choices.

Michener's writing style is engaging and accessible, making his books suitable for readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, adventure, or simply a good story, you can always count on James A. Michener to deliver a memorable and satisfying reading experience.

This work seems less like a novel and more like a term paper for a high school Caribbean history class.

The so-called "multi-generational saga" formula that Michener exploited so successfully in other epics completely fails him here. Or, perhaps it's more accurate to say that he fails the formula.

I'm tempted to say that he simply phoned it in, but I've never had a phone call that was this mundane or this long.

It lacks the depth, the excitement, and the engaging narrative that one would expect from a work of fiction.

The characters seem flat, the plot is predictable, and the writing is dull.

It's as if Michener lost his touch or simply didn't put in the effort required to create a truly great work.

Overall, this is a disappointment and not a work that I would recommend to others.

Caribbean by James Mitchener offers a comprehensive exploration of a vast historical period, stretching from the history of the Caribbean's indigenous people up until the time of the book's publication.

He delves into the various empires that have influenced the region, including the Spanish, French, Dutch, and English. By examining these different empires, Mitchener attempts to cover the major aspects of Caribbean history.

The chapter setups in the book are enjoyable. Although the narrative shifts from one point of view to another with different characters, the stories are interconnected and flow smoothly, making it easy to follow.

Throughout the reading, I found myself constantly wondering about the absence of The Bahamas. It wasn't until the end of the book, on the 'the setting' page, that I realized Mitchener had chosen to exclude The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands entirely. This was an interesting narrative choice, considering that while The Bahamas is not in the Caribbean Sea, it is still an integral part of the Caribbean in many ways. It was the site of Columbus's first landing and the first interaction between the 'old' and 'new' world. Nassau, New Providence, also played a significant role in the Golden Age of Piracy and other historical events. Therefore, I was disappointed to see its exclusion.

I have always had a passion for reading historical fiction, and I liked certain elements of Caribbean. However, I believe that a number of the characters in the book fall into the White Savior trope, especially in the latter half. Additionally, some of the points of view were apologetically racist, which was quite concerning.

Racism is acknowledged in the book, and the characters do shift and change. However, the way in which not only the characters but also Mitchener himself describes people of color at times left a negative impression on me. There is an element of exotification when it comes to the description of the indigenous people, both in terms of their physical appearance and their way of life.

What stood out to me the most was in chapter 14, where Ras-Negus Grimble is described in very unflattering terms. His hair is said to have "mud" in it, looking like "writhing vipers." He has a "savage appearance" and a "fetid smell." This is not just from a particular point of view but a general description by Mitchener. Personally, I have never known a Rastafarian or anyone with locs to have mud in their hair and not bathe.

Overall, while Caribbean has its merits, there are also some aspects that I found problematic.

I love you, James Michener!

How is it possible for someone to pen a sweeping epic about an entire region that stretches over 700 years and yet manage to make it feel so intimate?

I adored reading about the absurd frivolity as well as the glorious chivalry of the battle of the Caribbean that raged for centuries between England, Spain, and France.

The tales of slavery and slave rebellion were truly heartbreaking, and I was relieved to reach modern times and the conclusion of slavery.

I learned about Rastafarianism, pirates, the ancient Mayans, and so much more.

James Michener is indeed a literary genius.

However, he lost the fifth star because the ending was a bit too cheesy when compared to the rest of the book.

Nonetheless, his work is a remarkable achievement that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through history and culture.

Fiction > Historical Fiction, Caribbean

Finally, it's done! This particular book took me quite some time, and I interrupted its reading with at least fifty other books. I truly enjoyed his The Source, and I will definitely check out more of Michener's works. However, this one didn't quite meet my expectations.

I'm uncertain whether I would have liked this more if I had known more about the Caribbean beforehand or if I were simply looking for a nice story and could just enjoy it. But in my case, I was seeking a better understanding of the history of the area to complement my newfound interest in cruising.

I really liked the beginning. I didn't realize that the Caribs were violent invaders who took over the area from other "native" peoples. I do truly appreciate that the author strives to go back as far as possible when writing about an area.

If you are a fan of other Michener novels and/or epic multi-generational historical fiction, then give this one a read.

The chief character in this narrative is the Caribbean Sea, one of the world’s most alluring bodies of water, a rare gem among the oceans. It is defined by the islands that form a chain of lovely jewels to the north and east. Although bounded on the south and west by continental land masses, it is the islands that give the Caribbean its unique charm.

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“The chief character in this narrative is the Caribbean Sea, one of the world’s most alluring bodies of water, a rare gem among the oceans, defined by the islands that form a chain of lovely jewels to the north and east. Although bounded on the south and west by continental land masses, it is the islands that give the Caribbean its unique charm.”

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Carribean by James Michener is a beautiful book that captures the magic of the Caribbean Sea and all of the countries that are part of that beautiful chain of islands and land masses. While traveling, I always love reading books pertaining to the history of the area. And this was truly a wonderful find for me when perusing my library. I discovered this classic by James Michener. So, while reading this beautiful book, we are sailing the Pacific Ocean from California to Baja, Mexico, and through the Caribbean along the Mexican continent and on to Central America to the Panama Canal. Then, we sail to Colombia and the Yucatán Peninsula before sailing up the Atlantic Coast to Florida. This book explores the remarkable history of this area from the pre-Colombian period of the native Arawak tribes to modern times. Written in sixteen chapters, some loosely connected, we witness the history of this region from many different perspectives. It was magical. It was also a clash of many cultures as we witness the stories of the native Caribbean, Spanish, French, British, and North American.

Opening the book was the chapter: A Hedge of Croton, highlighting the invasion of the Caribs in the Arawak homelands, followed by the death of the Mayan culture and the adventures of Christopher Columbus, carrying the weight of European ambition and brutality in Hispaniola. But some of my favorite chapters were the adventures of Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins and Henry Morgan, dominating the narrative as they wage a violent competition for control of this rich territory. At the heart of the narrative of the Carribean is the tragic and harrowing story of slavery and rebellion that still makes up much of the fabric of the region today. The slave uprising in Haiti is a significant chapter as it vividly portrays human resilience in the midst of chaos and bloodshed. It was only fitting that the book concluded with a chapter on the cultural identity of Cuba, striving to overcome the devastating effects and long-lasting scars of Colonialism. But in the final chapter, The Golden Era, a character is reunited with previous characters to end this epic tale of the Caribbean Sea. This was a well-researched and powerful book that captures the essence of this glittering string of islands in all of its vast scope and wonder.

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“Traveler, you who sail into the Caribbean in silvered yacht or gilded cruise ship, pause as you enter these waters to remember that deep below rest three men of honor who helped determine the history of this onetime Spanish Lake; Sir John Hawkins, builder of the English Navy; Sir Francis Drake, conquerer of all known seas; and Admiral Ledesma, stubborn enhancer of his king’s prerogatives and the interests of his own strong family.”

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