First published 1982
Annie John faces the rigid expectations of her Caribbean community where biblical knowledge determines social standing. Her mother insists she memorize scripture for the upcoming church examination that will mark her passage into adulthood. Annie struggles with the gap between the religious teachings and her own emerging understanding of the world around her. The verses feel foreign on her tongue while the stories of her grandmother's obeah practices whisper more truthfully about island life. As the test approaches, Annie must choose between conforming to colonial religious structures or honoring the older wisdom that flows through her family's women. Her rebellion against biblical authority becomes a fight for her own voice in a world that demands silence from young Caribbean women.
Genres: literary-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, religion, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, rebellion
Setting: Caribbean
Period: 20th-century
200 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Ballantine Books
Content warnings: colonialism