- The Mountain of Inheritance
- Author: Carol Dunn
Award-winning author Carol Dunn exquisitely etches the warts and wrinkles in the lives of a rural Jamaican family in her novel The Mountain of Inheritance.
The book, published in 2008, has brought many a reader back to an idyllic memory of rural Jamaica, where families are intact and dignity is the order of things - at least on the face of things.
Beneath the façade of life runs the real drama of love, abandonment, and betrayal.
TRIUMPH AFTER STRUGGLES
Textured by the lush landscape of rural Jamaica, The Mountain of Inheritance is a compelling story about ordinary people who possess the extraordinary will to triumph over tribulation and tragedy. The novel traces the interwoven lives of two families and explores the complexities of relationships among people struggling with their human flaws as they contend with the conflicting nature of their allegiance to a forgiving God.
By no means did Dunn write a book about God and religion, it is more about real people and extraordinary everyday struggles presented with clarity and intrigue.
The characters are strong and three-dimensional. Dunn took the time to study human nature in all its intricacies and did an excellent job bringing each of them through their various challenges and changes.
Lois, the main character, was able to get beyond the maze of obstacles to find love. Laurie had gone through much, but with the support of Joel, she was able to overcome.
Dunn sidelines Alan, a minor character who fought with her to capture the main plot. He is surrounded by a web of activities that makes him deliberately fascinating.
Dunn does not shy away from addressing real-life concerns. She explores issues such as sexuality and loyalty in a new and interesting way. She deals with the subject of post-partum depression with an expert's hand, making it a lived learning experience for the reader.
This is not a book one just leaves lying around on a shelf. It has tremendous potential, even with the sexually explicit sections. It presents a great study in literature and it is Jamaican.
