Into the Forest discussion

Here is the place to discuss retellings, traditional tales, or books inspired by the mythology, folklore, or fairy tales of the Caribbean

The Jumbies’ series by Tracey Baptiste would fit in this category.

( On my phone now, will add links later.)

Annette wrote: "The Jumbies’ series by Tracey Baptiste would fit in this category.

( On my phone now, will add links later.)"

Thanks! I must admit I need to look up more authors from this area!
Off hand I can only think of Jamaican born Nalo Hopkinson
I have read:
Brown Girl in the Ring
The New Moon's Arms
Midnight Robber
Sister Mine
I really enjoyed all of them but Brown Girl in the Ring and New Moon's Arms are my favourites

The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales by Diane Wolkstein

Besides the books already mentioned, I haven't read any additional books based on Caribbean folklore. Here's what a search brought up:

Unraveling by Karen Lord (Barbados)
Hurricane Child by Kacen Callender (US Virgin Islands)
Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat (Haiti)

I feel like there has to be more!

Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci

I just remembered that Maryse Condé, the author of I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem which we read as a group read a while ago is from the Island of Guadalupe.
It looks like she has quite a number of books that might fit the theme.

Another good book which I loved was Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina García
It has a few magical realism elements and I remember one of the character is a practioner of Santaria an African- Latin American religion combining African and Catholic religion.

I would add Popisho by Leone Ross for this category. I started it but unfortunately it didn't work for me so I didn't finish but I'm sure others will enjoy it.

I also found this list which may have some other ideas for people though I haven't vetted any of the books myself: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Erin wrote: "I would add Popisho by Leone Ross for this category. I started it but unfortunately it didn't work for me so I didn't finish but I'm sure others will enjoy it.

I also found this list which may hav..."

There are some books on that list I do want to check out and are available on audio! Yay!

I read The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey for this and enjoyed it!

I read 2 books for this category: When We Were Birds and Who Slashed Celanire's Throat?

Jalilah wrote: "I read 2 books for this category: When We Were Birds and Who Slashed Celanire's Throat?"

I followed you suggestion of Dreaming in Cuban :)

I went for White is for witching which might have been a bit of a stretch as Carribean folklore was only one element of the book. I loved the soucouyant though and would like to read anything else with this character, so freaky!

I read The Mermaid of Black Conch but I think I'll add When We Were Birds, too! If I can manage it in the last few weeks...