Title: Caribbean

Author: James A. Michener

Genre: Historical Fiction


As the name implies, this book delves into the captivating story of the Caribbean islands and their people. If you're familiar with Roots, which explores the origin and abolition of slavery, then you'll find that Caribbean focuses on the lives of the slaves who first arrived on these islands and their experiences under the rule of various powers such as the Spanish, British, French, Portuguese, and Dutch.

The book commences with Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Caribbean islands, which were subsequently ruled by Spain. This led to a series of events, including wars for monopoly, the plundering of natural resources, and atrocities committed against the slaves, ultimately resulting in a revolution. Additionally, the book provides a description of Rastafarianism and its concepts.

The final chapter is perhaps the most remarkable, as it showcases the current generation of both perpetrators and slaves coming together on a cruise. Here, they seek to uncover their identities and the history of the region, unitedly and without prejudice or hatred. It is a powerful and moving conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Rating: 5/5*+++

This is the very first Michener book that I have had the pleasure of reading, and I'm quite certain that I'll make an attempt to read another one at some point in the future. I truly enjoyed the process of reading it, and as a result, I now have a significantly better understanding of the Caribbean region.

However, it should be noted that the dialogue in the book seemed a bit forced on occasion. It was as if the author was trying to provide background information in a rather contrived manner, similar to how soap operas often have two characters discussing details that people in real life would never ordinarily get into. Additionally, some of the situations presented in the story seemed rather unlikely. This was especially true when it came to a couple of the romances and the multi-generational sagas.

Nonetheless, I did find myself enjoying the characters. Their individual stories managed to weave together in a way that provided a comprehensive and thorough history of the region. Michener is kind enough to list which characters and events are factual and which are composites. I frequently found myself turning to the inside cover map and marvelling at my own ignorance of many of these islands. The history presented in the book covers everything from the natives to Columbus and then on to the Spanish, English, French, Africans, and others who have all contributed to creating the rich and colorful culture of the Caribbean. I was particularly surprised to learn that East Indians have a large presence on some of the islands. Reading this book during the earthquake tragedy in Haiti made the extensive Haitian history presented in it all the more timely.

In conclusion, if you have an interest in obtaining a wide-ranging Caribbean history through the medium of historical fiction, then this book is definitely worth a read.

I'm truly kind of surprised that I'm abandoning this book. I have always had a deep love for Michener's books.

However, this is the second time that I've put it down and haven't picked it back up to complete. It reads far more like a textbook than a captivating novel.

Ordinarily, he skillfully mixes his historical knowledge in a novelized style that engages the reader. But this particular one, unfortunately, doesn't do that to the same extent.

The lack of a more engaging narrative makes it difficult for me to stay interested and motivated to continue reading.

I had such high expectations, given my previous experiences with his works, but this one has fallen short of those expectations.

It's a bit disappointing, really, as I was looking forward to another great read from Michener.

I suppose in many respects I was not the target audience for this book. Firstly, I had never read anything by Michener before. Secondly, I’m fairly interested in the histories of quite a few countries of the Caribbean and have read several works of non-fiction on them. Thirdly, I don’t have a problem reading non-fiction. Fourthly, I’m reading this in the year 2023. And finally, I’m not a high school student.

I think maybe for a certain kind of reader with a vague interest in the history of the Caribbean but no interest in reading an actual history book, this could be engaging. However, generally speaking, I pretty immediately felt bored and ended up skimming about 90% of this. There’s neither meaningful character development nor engaging plot nor insightful history.

Also, it’s written in a particular mid-20th century voice-of-god narration that at times almost seemed quaint to me but at other times felt distracting. For example, the Caribs are described, with zero irony or self-awareness, as: “A fierce, terrible people, they were cannibals who fought any strangers, not only to subdue them but also to eat them.” - Cool.

Maybe Michener’s other works are better, but I’ll probably never bother to find out. It seems that this book didn't quite hit the mark for me, perhaps due to my prior knowledge and reading preferences. I can't help but wonder if there are other readers out there who would have a different experience with this book.

Excellent insight into the islands! It only took me 7 years to complete this remarkable journey of exploration. In fact, I read half of it over Christmas in 2012, and finally finished it this Christmas. Interestingly, both occasions coincided with my trips to Little Cayman, allowing me to experience the Caribbean firsthand.

There are clearly numerous islands that Michener could have delved into with greater depth. However, the Caribbean experience appears to be strikingly similar across the islands. The native influence has mostly vanished, and what remains is a blend of European and African cultures, deeply colored by the dark history of the slave trade and the sugar trade. It was truly a remarkably horrific time in human history.

This exploration of the islands has not only provided me with a deeper understanding of their cultures and histories but also a profound appreciation for the complex tapestry that makes up the Caribbean. I look forward to further adventures and discoveries in this captivating region.

Good Read

I have always had extremely high expectations for Mr. Michener's books, and I accept nothing less than excellence from them. I am truly pleased to say that I am not disappointed in the present book. He commences his narrative with Christopher Columbus' momentous discovery of the Caribbean Islands. From there, he takes us on a captivating journey that unfolds through the ages. The story culminates with the melding of two souls, a beautiful and poignant event that brings together what is truly the best about the Caribbean Islands. This human union serves as a powerful symbol, perhaps a vision of how the islands themselves could come together in harmony. It could be a blueprint for how they might join forces to create a better life for all of their citizens.

Thank you, Mr. Michener, for providing me with such a wonderful and engaging read. Your ability to transport readers to different times and places through your words is truly remarkable.

This book is truly remarkable, as it is like a vast and captivating collection of short stories.

Each story focuses on a different island, delving into its unique history and introducing a diverse cast of characters.

For this reason, I feel compelled to review each story individually, as well as the book as a whole.

If we consider the book as a whole, the writing is excellent, deserving of a five-star rating.

The author has managed to make the history of these islands incredibly interesting and engaging.

However, I rated the book 3.5 stars simply because history can be a messy and sometimes gruesome place.

This is in no way the fault of the author, as they have done an outstanding job of presenting the facts.

I simply find it difficult to read about some of the more disturbing aspects of history, although I understand their importance.

Despite this, I am glad I read the book and will definitely be exploring other works by the author.

If you are looking for a more interesting and interactive way to learn about the history of the Caribbean, I highly recommend this book.

It offers a unique perspective and brings the past to life in a vivid and engaging way.

Whether you are interested in the history of specific islands or the region as a whole, this book has something for everyone.

So, pick up a copy and embark on a journey through the fascinating history of the Caribbean!

You won't be disappointed.

This took me almost a month to read due to its enormity and density.

I had to read it at an incredibly slow pace and constantly refer back to previous chapters. However, this is by no means a criticism of the book!

On the contrary, it was a truly fantastic exploration of one of my favorite regions.

The detailed descriptions and in-depth analysis provided a unique perspective that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Now, I'm eager to read Michener's takes on Hawaii and Alaska.

I'm sure they will be just as captivating and informative as this one.

I can't wait to embark on those literary journeys and discover more about these fascinating places through Michener's eyes.

His writing style is engaging and his research is extensive, making his books a pleasure to read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history, culture, or travel.

It's a must-read for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us.

I absolutely ADORED Hawaii. It was an amazing read that left a lasting impression on me. Since then, I have picked up some other Michener books for free. However, none of them have lived up to the greatness of Hawaii.

That being said, there are still some enjoyable bits in the 800 pages of Caribbean. I understand that the Caribbean is not a confederation of islands and that each island has its own tumultuous history. Michener's attempt to pull all of these together in a narrative really suffers, especially in the final chapter where people from each island all fall into place on a cruise. It seemed like a desperate last ditch attempt to make the book seem cohesive rather than a series of disjointed vignettes.

There were definitely sections that I found enjoyable, but I'm not sure if they were enough to justify reading the entire book. If I were a teacher, some of these chapters might be ones that I would assign separately to give students a sense of the history of an island.

The region clearly has a very rich history, and I did enjoy learning what I could from the reading. However, the book was so long-winded and scattershot that I can't say I thought it was very good overall. It had its moments, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Well worth reading.

There are indeed numerous intractable problems that baffle me. These problems seem to be complex and difficult to solve, leaving me in a state of confusion and uncertainty.

However, as a result of reading, I have gained a much better understanding of the region. The knowledge and information I have obtained from reading have allowed me to see the problems from different perspectives and have provided me with new insights and ideas.

Reading has also broadened my horizons and increased my awareness of the world around me. It has made me realize that there are many different ways of thinking and approaching problems, and that by learning from others, we can often find solutions that we may not have thought of on our own.

In conclusion, reading is an essential activity that can help us to better understand the world and solve the problems that we face. It is well worth our time and effort to engage in this activity on a regular basis.

Another Michener masterpiece!

The Caribbean Sea, which is surrounded by a necklace of jewel-like islands, has a history filled with murder, slavery, torture, and deceit. It's truly astonishing that its beautiful blue waters aren't still running red with the bloody remnants of its past.

I gleaned so much knowledge from this book. With a highlighter in one hand and Google working overtime, I read it as if it were a history lesson that I was going to be graded on. I was amazed to discover that men who are regarded as "heroes" are not what they seem. Drake and Nelson were actually leaders in the act of raping these islands. I also loved his prediction of Cuba's role in 2020. The description of Haiti was extremely accurate.

I approached it one chapter at a time. Each island could be read independently, even though the characters traverse through the generations.

PS 7/7/2020 Read Six Days in Havana before you reach the chapter on Cuba - it makes it come alive with both text and photos.

This historical novel showcases Michener's characteristic structure.

Each chapter vividly depicts a vital aspect of the region's history in chronological sequence, featuring its own distinct narrative arc with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The stories are frequently interconnected through characters or families that carry over from one chapter to the next.

However, the character monologues sometimes verge on being didactic, which oddly reminds me of characters in a musical suddenly breaking into song and interrupting the action. Despite this, the story remains highly engaging to read, and the history lesson is easily digestible.

The narrative maintains a calm and objective tone, yet the overall portrayal of the history of the warm, sunny Caribbean is one of wrenching cruelty. There are the Caribs in search of meat, the Spanish at war with the English, the buccaneers preying on both, the cruel slave masters, the rampaging rebellious slaves, and even a Jacobin from France arriving with a crated guillotine.

The horror lessens somewhat in the 20th century, but there is still poverty, petty crime, and the murderous Tonton Macoutes. Color prejudice fades only gradually.

Here are the main concerns that Michener emphasizes in 1989: the lack of political unity, even among the former British colonies; the absence of a solid economic foundation for the islands' economies; the unsustainable illegal emigration to the US; and the anticipation that Cuba will liberalize after Castro.