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Book Review: Sections of an Orange
Caribbean writer soars with inspiring novel
By Dr. Glenville Ashby
Anton Nimblett is yet to etch his name onto the annals of legendary Caribbean writers, but, “all in good time.” And time is on Nimblett’s side, no doubt. Still young, he has already published some exhaling work, especially his contribution to the ground breaking anthology, “Our Caribbean: A Gathering of Lesbian and Gay Writing from the Antilles.”
Nimblett continues his signature style in Sections of an Orange, an artsy rendition of life’s vicissitudes. It is crafty and deliberate; cagey, but liberating. He is a classicist, really, a traditionalist who bows to the loftiness of creative writing. And he is quite comfortable in his element.
In “Time and Tide,” his artistry is undeniable. He writes:”I hear different sections of the ocean orchestra: the booming bass of the big waves yards away from the shore, the swooshing shack-shack beat as the water laps against the sand, sending it gently shifting the filtering high notes as foamy bubbles burst and rejoin the salty night air.”
In “Visiting Soldiers,” the author’s unveils his naked sensitivity, his emotional connectedness. It’s a wrenching tale of a mother, suffering the unthinkable – a son killed in action thousands of miles away. Here, Nimblett avoids politicising the tragedy. Sure, it takes place in Iraq, but that anathema of a word for so many is never mentioned, although readers are aware that Eva’s son, Roderick, was cut down in the Cradle of Civilization. The author zeroes in on the turmoil of a grieving mother. Nothing more. Her pain piercing every line. The urn, the resting place of her son’s ashes, is her constant companion.
Nimblett writes: “Inside the bag was the beautiful wood box, its edges rounded, its surface lacquered to a near reflective gloss. At night, alone in her bedroom, Eva would run her hands along the top, curl her fingers under the edges to rub the corners. Sometimes, too, she would do this in the seclusion that crowded rush-hour trains provided.”
This is a mother who remains taciturn, introspective, maybe unpredictable, as the closing scene proves. “This is my only son, Roderick. Private First Class, Roderick Leonard. Meet my son,” she screams at Army recruiters, ever ready to inveigle a prospective soldier – no less her relative, in this case.
“Visiting Soldiers” resounds with its sheer existential depth, threatening to overwhelm Nimblett’s other material. And may be it does. Yet, the author’s magic is hardly debatable, as he sustains intrigue with “On the side,” which explores a troubled gay relationship, replete with every unhinged sexual fantasy imaginable. “How Far, How Long,” and “Sections of an Orange,” continue in the same vein. While these narratives may prove a challenging read for social conservatives, their theatrical appeal is undeniable, and the author’s daring pays dividends. Homophobia is subtly challenged, and any perceived emotive difference between gay and heterosexual love affairs is proved non-existent.
Opting for a different pitch and tone in “Just Now,” the author unearths nostalgic sentiments, especially among the Diaspora. The islands – bucolic and authentic, never looked so inviting. It is a catchy tale where modernity and traditionalism collide – a city boy encounters his country sweetheart. Their exchange is spontaneously novel and refreshing.
And in “Marjorie’s Meal,” the perennial question,” What is love?” finds a ready response with a couple’s display of devotion in their twilight years.
Admittedly, every story may not lock-step in explosiveness. Nevertheless, Sections of an Orange remains a compelling West Indian narrative – gliding from the cold tapestry of New York, to the soulful richness of the islands, with poise and aplomb. And this may just be sufficient to seal Nimblett’s place among the Caribbean’s most promising writers.
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Follow me on Twitter@glenvilleashby
Dr Glenville Ashby, literary critic – Caribbean Book Review
Sections of an Orange by Anton Nimblett
Pee Pal Tree Press Ltd., England 2009
ISBN13:9781845230746
Available: Amazon.com
Ratings***: Recommended
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