Peter's Pocket - The Son of Bakwa 1

A Haunting and Powerful Debut: "Peter's Pocket" by Kimarie Hosea

In the midst of an approaching hurricane, Kimarie Hosea's "Peter's Pocket" whisks readers away to the lush, winding mountains of Dominica, where the dark history of slavery and colonialism lingers like a specter. This mesmerizing audiobook, the first in the "Son of Bakwa" series, masterfully weaves together elements of Caribbean folklore, historical fiction, and magical realism to create a narrative that is both deeply unsettling and profoundly moving.

Through the eyes of Veronique, a birthing house slave, we witness the brutal realities of life on a sugar plantation, where the enslaved are forced to toil in inhumane conditions, and only white men are permitted to practice medicine. Yet, amidst the unrelenting cruelty, Veronique finds solace in her devotion to Bakwa, the Tete-chien - a mysterious, serpent-like deity who seems to embody both terror and salvation.

Hosea's prose is evocative and immersive, conjuring the sights, sounds, and scents of the plantation with visceral intensity. Her characters are multidimensional and complex, their struggles and triumphs rendered with compassion and nuance. The use of Kweyol, the Kalinago tongue, adds a rich layer of cultural authenticity, drawing the listener into the world of the story.

As the hurricane gathers force, "Peter's Pocket" builds towards a shattering climax, one that will leave readers gasping for breath. This is a story about the power of resilience, the danger of blind faith, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and children.

A must-listen best read for fans of Caribbean literature, historical fiction, and magical realism.

Rating: 5/5 stars - Sharon Dorival

Get ready to be transported to a world of haunting beauty and unflinching truth. Listen to "Peter's Pocket" today.