Land of Love and Drowning

Gr 9 Up—The Virgin Islands is the main character in this debut novel. St. Thomas, like its inhabitants, comes of age after it transfers from Danish to American rule in the early 1900s. Distinctive multiple narrators tell the story of the wealthy Captain and his beautiful but "wild" wife, Antoinette; his daughters, Eeona and Anette; and his son Jacob, conceived with his mistress. When Bradshaw's ship sinks, taking the lives of his crew with him, the island and his family are changed forever. Eeona longs to escape the islands, Anette craves the security of a committed relationship, and Jacob falls in love with the wrong woman. History is reflected in their lives and times: when World War II breaks out, Jacob and his friends head to the mainland as soldiers only to face a racism that did not exist at home; the rise of civil rights on the mainland fuels a growing rebellion on St. Thomas. Mature themes weave throughout these stories, including sexuality and incest. Recommend to teens who enjoy strong characters, a tumultuous historical time period, and a setting that embraces music, madness, and Caribbean magic.—Connie Williams, Petaluma High School, CA