Benjamin, My Son
by Geoffrey Philp
A Jamaican retooling of Dante's "Inferno, this literary thriller tells the story of Jason Lumley, a native Jamaican living in Miami, Florida, who returns to his homeland when his politician stepfather is murdered. Accompanied by his girlfriend, Nicole, who offers an echo of Beatrice, Lumley meets up with a mentor Rastafarian and a locksmith named Virgil who accompany them through the garrison ghetto area of Standpipe. In his quest, Lumley encounters former acquaintances and earlier manifestations of himself that offer bracing commentary on the sexism, homophobia, and corruption that have replaced the nationalist dream.
Paperback
English
Brand New
Publisher Description
Jason Lumley is in a Miami bar when he sees a newsflash reporting the murder of his politician father, Albert Lumley. With his girlfriend, Nicole, Jason returns to his native Jamaica for the funeral. There the murder is regarded by all as part of the bipartisan warfare which has torn the country apart. But when Jason meets his old mentor, Papa Legba, the Rastafarian hints at a darker truth. Under the guidance of his locksman Virgil, and redeemed by his love for the Beatrice-like figure of Nicole, Jason enters the several circles of Jamaica's hell. The portrayal of the garrison ghetto area of Standpipe is, in particular, profoundly disturbing. In his infernal journeyings, Jason encounters both former acquaintances and earlier versions of himself. In the process he confronts conflicting claims on his identity: the Jason shaped by the middle-class colonial traditions of Jamaica College and the Benjamin who was once close to Papa Legba.Benjamin, My Son combines the excitement of the fast-paced thriller, the literary satisfactions of its intertextual play and the bracing commentary of its portrayal of the sexism, homophobia and moral corruption which have filled the vacuum vacated by the collapse of the nationalist dream.
Review
""Geoffrey Philp is a literary shaman, a weaver of spells that reveal unexpected and marvelous things about life, that carry the news of island culture to the mainland." "Geoffrey Philp is a literary shaman, a weaver of spells that reveal unexpected and marvelous things about life, that carry the news of island culture to the mainland." -- John Dufresne, author, "Deep in the Shade of Paradise", "Louisiana Power & Light", and "Love Warps the Mind a Little".
Review Quote
"Geoffrey Philp is a literary shaman, a weaver of spells that reveal unexpected and marvelous things about life, that carry the news of island culture to the mainland." -- John Dufresne, author, Deep in the Shade of Paradise , Louisiana Power & Light , and Love Warps the Mind a Little .
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