Brown Girl in the Ring

Anyone can come up with a decent story idea . . . I mean anyone. A lot of people can write their idea down in competent prose, and some do. But only a handful of people can tell their stories in a memorable way with a great voice. Nalo Hopkinson is one of those people - her voice is great. The story, Brown Girl in the Ring, is a good story about a young woman living in dystopia Toronto, an inner city burn where civilization is all about 'the strongest survive.' She's in touch with the African Gods because the gift of voudoun runs in the family - and the Gods, called in rituals, have personalities as strong and wild as the rest of the cast of characters: drug dealers, addicts, crime lords, healers, street children, and even the prime minister. With a strong story and great characters, Nalo adds the element of voice to the mix and out comes pure entertainment - edge of your chair fun reading with a big, "oh, that's it?" sigh at the end and a wish for more. And more I will read. - CV Rick

In Charles Saunders' essay titled "Why Blacks Should Read (And Write) Science Fiction," Nalo Hopkinson was pointed out by Saunders as being "Octavia Butler's true literary child." While Hopkinson "doesn't imitate Butler," he reminded us, she did "imitate the older writer's strenghts in plotting and characterization (Dark Matter, ed. by Sheree R. Thomas, 2000)." Saunders was right. What a debut. This first novel was enthralling. It was so good that up-and-coming fantasy novelist Nalo Hopkinson had managed to win both heady praise from Butler herself and a Warner Aspect First Novel Award.Brown Girl in the Ring had everything. Smooth, yet urgent prose. Heart-stopping action. A thriving Caribbean-Vodoun culture in Canada. Soul-deadening urban decay. Vibrant Caribbean speech. Evil that makes your skin crawl. Using the power of the old ways of her ancestors, hero Ti-Jeanne must come of age in near-future Toronto by confronting the forces that threaten to overcome her neighborhood, her family, and her life. Even though I had read this book nearly 4 years ago, it is still in my head. It was and still is that good. More that 3 decades ago, Octavia E. Butler revolutionized the heart of science-fantasy writing, setting tough new standards of excellence. With Brown Girl in the Ring, Nalo Hopkinson has met that challenge admirably. I know Butler must be proud.

This novel was truly refreshing. It is not everyday that you get to read a Sci-Fi book with a Caribbean flair. I loved it! The story line was no where near predictable or boring. I found myself unable to put the book down. You did a nice job Ms. Hopkinson, it good fi true!

I found myself both morbidly curious and totally engrossed. The author drew me in and kept me right from the beginning. She has an excellent talent for story telling and making all of her characters seem like people we've all met. I've recommended it to all of my adventurous reading friends!!

A thoroughly enjoyable tale, Nalo Hopkinson has crafted this novel with care and not a little spirituality. Although it might be easy to simply write this story off as "just another urban fantasy", you must differientiate it for several reasons: 1.) The boring post-apocalyptic movie set in many science fiction stories has been more reasonably (and realistically) transformed to an inner-city urban collapse, with believable sociological ramifications and a believable timeline. 2.) All of the characters (even the antagonist) are interesting, understandable and believable. 3.) The subject matter handles an afro-diasporic magical tradition with respect, care, and authenticity rather than some cobbled-together melange of myth and pop culture. Ms. Hopkinson surprises and delights in this tale of generations, of debts owed and paid, and of redemption. I anxiously await her subsequent publications.