Reviewing Books
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Seasons of Beento Blackbird
One of my favorite books.
I enjoy a good book that sparks discussion, that elicits strong feelings from those who are brave enough to complete reading the work. Busia, with The Seasons of Beento Blackbird, presents a visually cascading novel in which the reader will find it difficult to put down. The controversial topic of polygamy is one that many will debate for years. And although Polyandry has not been explored much (one woman with many men), except in one book which comes to mind entitled Tamika Jones' Adventure, the subject of many partners has always been a heated one, especially in the western world. The Seasons of Beento Blackbird is a colourful book evoking images surely for the screen. The author, having many experiences in the film world, writes in a fashion that reflects her deserving work as an actour. And this is not to say that her writing is of lesser literary worth. To the contrary this work brings with it the hues and sounds, tastes and feels, which is warranted in many a read and is the substance of a good book. Lasting and thoughtful.
The fusion of the Caribbean, American, and African is an important issue in Black society. The juxtaposition of these three worlds once separated, to converge again would be a force to reckon with. Economically as well as politically.
Without deliberating the politicalness of Busia's subject matter. Beento Blackbird is a continuum of the art which is of an African tradition. Africans, African-Americans, and Caribbean-Americans have throughout history written about their conditions and the education of their people. This goes back as far as we can see in the documentation of Black theatre and dance which are all part of the oral tradition. Through this belief, it is said that one can teach and learn through the way of life: Art, ultimately for the good of enlightening the people. Art for entertainment sake is a fine thing. Yet we ask ourselves the age old question: Does art imitate life? Many great writers have pondered this question through their work.
Busia has blended entertainment and the instruction in this work quite splendidly. An affirmation we should all strive to achieve in our work in order to create the world we all; Black, White, Red, and Yellow, wish to live. Unlike the onslaught of Black relationship books that have been published, this is an important work, and a delightful read.-
I enjoy a good book that sparks discussion, that elicits strong feelings from those who are brave enough to complete reading the work. Busia, with The Seasons of Beento Blackbird, presents a visually cascading novel in which the reader will find it difficult to put down. The controversial topic of polygamy is one that many will debate for years. And although Polyandry has not been explored much (one woman with many men), except in one book which comes to mind entitled Tamika Jones' Adventure, the subject of many partners has always been a heated one, especially in the western world. The Seasons of Beento Blackbird is a colourful book evoking images surely for the screen. The author, having many experiences in the film world, writes in a fashion that reflects her deserving work as an actour. And this is not to say that her writing is of lesser literary worth. To the contrary this work brings with it the hues and sounds, tastes and feels, which is warranted in many a read and is the substance of a good book. Lasting and thoughtful.
The fusion of the Caribbean, American, and African is an important issue in Black society. The juxtaposition of these three worlds once separated, to converge again would be a force to reckon with. Economically as well as politically.
Without deliberating the politicalness of Busia's subject matter. Beento Blackbird is a continuum of the art which is of an African tradition. Africans, African-Americans, and Caribbean-Americans have throughout history written about their conditions and the education of their people. This goes back as far as we can see in the documentation of Black theatre and dance which are all part of the oral tradition. Through this belief, it is said that one can teach and learn through the way of life: Art, ultimately for the good of enlightening the people. Art for entertainment sake is a fine thing. Yet we ask ourselves the age old question: Does art imitate life? Many great writers have pondered this question through their work.
Busia has blended entertainment and the instruction in this work quite splendidly. An affirmation we should all strive to achieve in our work in order to create the world we all; Black, White, Red, and Yellow, wish to live. Unlike the onslaught of Black relationship books that have been published, this is an important work, and a delightful read.-