Buxton Spice Book

I loved the colorful introduction to a new place for me, but I actually had trouble understanding it; not the place, culture, language, though that too, but the whole concept of the adolescent fascination with bodies and sex. For me, I just didn't experience it. I could have cared less. Nudity was no big deal, though not flaunted, in my childhood home, and sex was something to be wary of unless you were ready and able to care for a child (something I've never felt ready for). So I ignored both sex and bodies, and have never understood the interest it generates for others.
Thus this book was both a revelation and a confusion. Despite that, or because of it, for the most part, I'm glad I read it.
I will add that the hints of the political situation, which the readers get only toward the end, caught my attention immediately. I would love to find out that Kempadoo has written a book with that more the focus.

Glossary (needing definitions) in order of appearance

Tentesse: Middle bedroom had a bunk bed and some tentesse shelves, packed with my brother's things - wires, pieces of radio. (4)

Ginch: He ginched and giggled jerkily. (9)

Cock-a-dung-guts: burnt my neck-back as I checked the cock-a-dung-guts fish in the open drain along our fence. (20)

Yowaris: Yowaris lived in it. (32)

And DeAbros is Putagee, an dey living here too? (59) Say what?

Down the steps we followed the herd, to the roadside where vendors sold ice-drinks and channa. (146) Could be a fish,… or it could be a kind of daal….

Breeze on your face, clothes fluttering behind, swinging slowly from foot to heavy foot - tall sailing mantises. (152) Is a mantis a praying mantis or a fancy boat? Neither seems to quite fit.