Books set in Trinidad (part three)

Welcome to the third instalment in my Trinidadian/Tobagonian book series! This is where I log my reading of books by local or diasporic authors, and where you can find some great recommendations if you're looking to get into Trinidadian literature or Caribbean literature in general.

In this video, I start off by recommending two extremely compelling novels that take place in Trinidad. The first is Pleasantview by Celeste Mohammed, an enthralling story about a fictional community in Trinidad. I then recommend The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini, a harrowing novel about a woman who is navigating an abusive relationship. This one was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction in 2022. The next book I recommend is The Dreaming by Andre Baghoo, a fantastic collection of short stories that explore the lives and experiences of gay men in Trinidad. It is such a fantastic and refreshingly modern piece of queer Caribbean literature.

Speaking of queer Caribbean literature, I, of course, had to highlight a few more books by Shani Mootoo. The first of which is her debut novel, Cereus Blooms at Night, a fantastic novel with dark and gothic undertones, and a writing style that will captivate you. I also mentioned her short story collection, Out on Mainstreet. Finally, I spotlighted Butterfly in the Wind by Lakshmi Persaud, a semi-autobiographical novel that takes place in the 50s and 60s.

Find me elsewhere:

Chapters:
(0:00): Intro
(0:27): Pleasantview by Celeste Mohammed
(2:17): The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini
(3:20): The Dreaming by Andre Bagoo
(4:41): Cereus Blooms at Night by Shani Mootoo
(6:41): Out On Mainstreet by Shani Mootoo
(6:59): Butterfly in the Wind by Lakshmi Persaud
(8:03): Outro

[booksaremysociallife]

By the time you see this, it will probably be Republic Day in Trinidad (24/9). So happy Republic Day!

[BookishAdventuresInWellbeing]

I loved The Bread The Devil Knead - loving these recommendations ♥️

[enjay]

I've just bought the Andre Bagoo on a bookseller's recommendation. I can't wait to get to it.

[svrye]

I read The Bread the Devil Knead based off your older video discussing it from when you either predicted the Women's Prize for Fiction or read the long list. Either way, I distinctly remember you being the catalyst for me picking that book up so consider this a long over due and hearty thank you! 😊

[brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

I love this series, thank you very much for your recommendations!

[redheadreading]

Really loving this series, thank you! Cereus Blooms At Night in particular sounds super interesting.

[marisagettas]

I just watched your three part series, and have put 5 books on hold at the library - thanks 😊

[howdyhoward]

after hearing you talk about cereus blooms at night for years and being disappointed that my library doesn't have a copy I finally decided to order a used copy and finally try shani mootoo for the first time

[Bessie-On-Wheels]

Not enough people talk about Cirius Blooms at Night it is wonderful

[catchnow]

Great recs, loved Pleasantview. I undeerstood what you meant, felt very real and local, for the people. Enjoyable!🎉

🇹🇹 📚 🤗

[vicenterosa]

by far the BIGGEST ISSUE I have with 🇹🇹 books is that soooo many of them don't exist as ebooks 😭 and it's super expensive to ship them to where I live in South America 😭😭😭 haha
but I absolutely loved Pleasantview and The bread..., specially because the last one was on audiobook!

[howdyhoward]

for the next installment can you rec any trini fantasy or sci-fi?