The Marvellous Equations of the Dread

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First edition The Marvellous Equations of the Dread.jpg
First edition

The Marvellous Equations of the Dread: a Novel in Bass Riddim is a novel by Jamaican-American writer Marcia Douglas. Originally published through Peepal Tree Press in 2016, the novel was then published on July 31, 2018, through New Directions Publishing. [1] The novel has been described as "experimental" or "prose poetry in novel form". [2]

Contents

The novel adopts a "reggae aesthetic", [3] exhibiting aspects of musicality from the intermixing of lyrics and songs into the text, to the "lyrical" language Douglas employs. [2] [ clarification needed ]

Setting

The novel primarily takes place in Kingston, Jamaica, with particular focus on Half-Way Tree, a road intersection in Kingston characterized by a Victorian era clocktower. [3] Some chapters and segments also take place in the "Dub-Side", which in the novel can be understood as the afterlife. Portions of the novel also take place in Xaymaca (Jamaica before its colonization by Spain); London, England; Miami, Florida (the place of Bob Marley's death).

Plot

The novel's plot follows a non-linear collage-like structure in order to tell a full, multi-dimensional and multi-generational story of Jamaican resilience in the face of centuries' old colonial devastation. A large subplot of the novel surrounds Leenah, a Rasta woman who has a romantic relationship with Bob Marley. Leenah experiences and witnesses persisting many colonialism-driven violences bestowed upon Jamaicans.

References

  1. ↑ "The Marvellous Equations of the Dread". New Directions. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Music and Spirituality: A Conversation with Marcia Douglas". The Rumpus. July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Woman Power I-Rising from the Page: in Conversation with Marcia Douglas". Pree: Caribbean. Writing. April 22, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.

Further reading

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