During my travels to Jamaica, it didn’t take me long to become fascinated by the John Crows that drift lazily on the beach breezes looking for an easy meal of carrion below. They inspired a haiku during one trip there, when they were circling the pool eyeing me hungrily.
So when I saw a review of John Crow’s Devil, I decided to pick up a copy. I’ve had a hard time finding contemporary Jamaican fiction. I know it’s out there. I’m just not finding it. This is Marlon James’ first novel, and overall, it’s a good one.
It’s set in a village in Jamaica and conjures a classic good vs. evil showdown. But it’s tough to tell who is on which side. The Apostle comes to town and drives the useless Rum Preacher out of his pulpit. Initially, it seems clear the good guys have come to rescue the village. But the book really isn’t that black and white. This isn’t Stephen King sending the good people to Salt Lake City and the evil ones to Vegas. There’s lots of gray area, and a fair amount of magic realism, too. James uses birds as a motif throughout, particularly doves and john crows.
The writing is solid and it’s a great effort for a first novel. I think the main theme that fascinated me was an exploration of how cults leach up out of the ground, slowly at first, only to erupt in passion and bloodshed. I hope James has more books on the horizon. (I just Googled him and realized he has a blog …)