Unburnable - by Marie-Elena John (Paperback)

About the Book

Set partly in contemporary Washington, D.C., and post-World War II Dominica, this debut novel deftly intertwines the cultures of blacks in the United States and the West Indies as an extraordinary multigenerational family saga unfolds.

From the Back Cover

Haunted by scandal and secrets, Lillian Baptiste fled Dominica when she was fourteen after discovering she was the daughter of Iris, the half-crazy woman whose life was told of in chanté mas songs sung during Carnival--songs about a village on a mountaintop littered with secrets, masquerades that supposedly fly and wreak havoc, and a man who suddenly and mysteriously dropped dead.

After twenty years away, Lillian returns to her native island to face the demons of her past--and with the help of Teddy, a man who has loved her for many years, she may yet find a way to heal.

Set in both contemporary Washington, D.C., and post-World War II Dominica, Unburnable weaves together West Indian history, African culture, and American sensibilities. Richly textured and lushly rendered, Unburnable showcases a welcome and assured new voice.

Review Quotes

"A captivating multigenerational narrative about family, betrayal and the hunt for a murderer that leaves you guessing until the very last page." - Ebony
"The kind of serious, well crafted novel that marks the debut of talented, ambitious authors." - Colin Channer, bestselling author of Waiting in Vain and Satisfy My Soul
"John draws the reader in, making her a witness to a rich history." - Black Issues Book Review