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The
2005 Award
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Benjamin, My Son by Geoffrey Philp
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Nominated by:
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| the complete A-Z listing of nominated authors |
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ABOUT
THE BOOK
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| Jason
Stewart is in a Miami bar when he sees a newsflash reporting the murder
of his politician stepfather, 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. There are the vexed relationships with his late stepfather and his half-brother Chris to deal with, and uncomfortable discoveries about his paternity. There is a past betrayal to confront in his friendship with Reuben, his idren of his Rasta days and his feeling that he has become a rootless, running man. In the process he must confront 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 Reuben and 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 nationalist dream. |
| ABOUT THE AUTHOR |
| Geoffrey Philp was born in Jamaica. He now lives and works in Miami, USA. He is the author of Uncle Obadiah and the Alien, Florida Bound, Hurricane Center and Xango Music. |
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