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  • A Tall History of Sugar

  • By: Curdella Forbes
  • Narrated by: Robin Miles
  • Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (11 ratings)
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A Tall History of Sugar cover art

A Tall History of Sugar

By: Curdella Forbes
Narrated by: Robin Miles
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Summary

A Tall History of Sugar tells the story of Moshe Fisher, a man who was "born without skin", so that no one is able to tell what race he belongs to; and Arrienne Christie, his quixotic soul mate who makes it her duty in life to protect Moshe from the social and emotional consequences of his strange appearance. 

The narrative begins with Moshe's birth in the late 1950s, four years before Jamaica's independence from colonial rule, and ends in the era of what Forbes calls "the fall of empire", the era of Brexit and Donald Trump. The historical trajectory layers but never overwhelms the scintillating love story as the pair fight to establish their own view of loving, against the moral force of the colonial "plantation" and its legacies that continue to affect their lives and the lives of those around them. 

Written in lyrical, luminous prose that spans the range of Jamaican Englishes, this remarkable story follows the couple's mysterious love affair from childhood to adulthood, from the haunted environs of rural Jamaica to the city of Kingston, and then to England - another haunted locale in Forbes's rendition.

©2019 Curdella Forbes (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Curdella Forbes seamlessly weaves Jamaican English and the Queen's English in this captivating novel.... Part love story and part historical fiction, A Tall History of Sugar is a refreshing take on race and colonialism that moves between Jamaica and England." (Electric Lit)

What listeners say about A Tall History of Sugar

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loved it...atmospheric 😍

The narration was top class ..really felt the roots of this story.Highly recommended 👌

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Beautiful story

Very beautiful story

I like how it’s very detailed on the how Jamaica was in the past

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Beautiful Tall Tale

A beautiful story, told from the perspective of islanders. Filled with Jamaican folklores, traditions, superstitions and facts. A love story that reminds the reader that LOVE is more than physical and can last forever.

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Excellent- will be looking out for this author

Wow! This was a pleasant surprise. It had everything- drama, intrigue,love, mystique, humour. Brought back memories as a child growing up in Jamaica but book is not targeted exclusively for Jamaicans. Excellent Author - so descriptive. I am on the lookout for more. Jamaican accent was not authentic but it did not detract. Thoroughly enjoyable.

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