French Canadian blogger Sha’Tara, blogging at Burning Woman, has posted the following review of my novel Under the Tamarind Tree on my blog: 

I finished reading “Under the Tamarind Tree” last night, or should I say early this morning. I was halfway through when I began reading last night and past midnight there were still a hundred pages to go so I shut down and got ready for bed but I couldn’t let go of the story, got up, booted up and read until I got to the end. Must have been about 2:00 AM.
What a story! So well told. One doesn’t need to be back-grounded in Guyana history to read your novel, the history tells itself throughout. The characters are believable and constant. What a movie your story would make.
Your novel is a “can’t put it down” writing. I’ve read thousands of novels over the years as time constraints forced me to learn speed reading and I can tell you that “Under the Tamarind Tree” ranks up there with the best of them if not actually at the very top. I’m amazed, honestly. I know I shouldn’t be but this took me like a whirlwind. Only one thing disappointed me: it ended way too soon.
Thank you for opening a window of life on another part of the planet I know so little about.
Posted on October 9, 2019

 

I have also received the following e-mail from Amanda Khan, a Guyanese American, who received a copy of my novel as a gift.

Wonderful Book!

Amanda Khan <e-mail address>
Thu 10/10/2019 3:13 PM 

Hi Rosaliene Bacchus! I enjoyed your book “Under the Tamarind Tree” very much. I loved the simplicity of the story. It brought back so much memories to me. I couldn’t put the book down. I love Richard lol A man that loved his wife unconditionally, he was determined to accomplish his dreams no matter what. He acknowledged when he was wrong yet he kept pressing on towards his goals. The humor in this book is outrageous! I love it. Well done Rosaliene Bacchus!  

Amanda

 

I appreciate all the wonderful and positive responses about my debut novel. My protagonist Richard Cheong would be very pleased 🙂