The Painted Canoe

This book is a real gem and deserves a much wider readership. It focuses on a poor, ugly Jamaican fisherman named Zachariah Pelsie who has a jaw disfigured from disease. Zach is an exceptionally proud, stubborn, honorable and determined man. His wife, Carina, is strong, rash, and passionate about her husband. The other major character in the book is Archibald Richardson, a British medical doctor who serves the rural poor. Other notable characters include the pompous parson, the compliant constable, the resentful nurse, the antagonistic Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, and a relentless hammerhead shark. They are all very strong and memorable characters. Lucy P - the painted canoe - could be considered as a major (albeit inanimate) character too. The Painted Canoe is more serious and not as relentlessly humorous as The Duppy or The Lunatic, also by Winkler, but clearly his best (and first) work. The middle section, when Zach is lost at sea, is a masterpiece of epic drama. I was uncomfortable with the binary opposition between Zach, who loves life, his wife and children, his canoe, and his livelihood, and the cynical, pessimistic white doctor who wants a divorce from his wife, abuses his black girlfriend, and sees no reason for him or anyone else to live. My edition of the book was published by Macmillan Caribbean. I was surprised by the many misspelled words, and some misused words - "emancipated" rather than "emaciated" body, for example. It needed an editing. The Painted Canoe is a wonderful introduction to rural Jamaican life. It will be enjoyed by everyone and loved by many.

The painted canoe is excellent reading with emotionally gripping chapters to hold your interest. The scenario is Jamaica 1970?s and a poor Black fisherman named Zacariah who is deformed UGLY. Poor Zachariah , who?s name means ?God remembers?,ends up lost at sea where we learn many things about him and ourselves. In this book the human spirit is exposed and the traits that define it explored. In addition, we see Jamaica from a poor citizens view and experience exactly what that means. There is a quote by Calvin Coolidge that I thought of after reading this book:? Press on: nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.? Great book.

This book is a great read. The Jamaican fisherman, Zachariah, reminds us how an eccentric nature can lead us throught life and how the human spirt will fight to survive. There is more to life than what we can see in front of us because there are times when we must step out on faith alone, as Zachariah did.

As a native of Jamaica, living in the USA, this book brought back fond memories of the Island. The main character, a fisherman is typical of the "older' Jamaican native in his beliefs and value system. He exhibits a trait rare in my adopted homeland, but common in Jamaica, where ones personal circumstances are not allowed to dictate your inner personality. A great read for both Jamaicans and non Jamaicans. Also a good intro to the native language and culture.

This is the story of Zachariah, a deformed Jamaican fisherman, whose dogged courage and character amaze, enchant, and ultimately enrich the reader. The story is a gripping sea story, leaving "The Old Man and the Sea" awash in its quiet wake. Often hilarious, this book is for those who most appreciate tales of human resiliance