What I learnt about Guyana
Geography and Language: Guyana is located in the northeastern corner of South America and is the only English-speaking country on the continent. Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana.
History: The Dutch West India Company established trading posts and later colonies. By the early 19th century, the British had taken control of the region, uniting the colonies into British Guiana in 1831. Guyana gained independence from Britain on May 26, 1966, and became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1970.
Biodiversity: About 85% of Guyana is covered in forest, and it is part of the Guiana Shield, a biodiversity hotspot with over 1,000 bird species and at least 269 species of amphibians. Guyana is home to many rare species, including colorful frogs, jaguars, and even a blue tarantula discovered in 2017.
Cultural Diversity: The population of Guyana is very diverse, including Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese, mixed race, and indigenous peoples. Guyana’s culture has significant Indian influence due to the arrival of Indian indentured laborers to work in sugar plantations in the 19th and early 20th centuries after the abolition of slavery.
What I read for Guyana
The Far Away Girl
Sharon Maas
Available in: Paperback, E-Book, Audiobook
Genres: Historical Fiction
Paperback: 416 pages
Audiobook: 16h 38m
Summary
Set in 1970s Georgetown, Guyana, seven-year-old Rita is haunted by the belief that she caused her mother Cassie’s death. Her father, lost in his own world, lets Rita roam freely in their dilapidated seaside house, where she finds solace among her many stray pets. However, her life takes a dark turn when her new stepmother, Chandra, arrives. The once lively home becomes a place of strict rules and lost freedoms, especially with a new baby sister on the way, leaving Rita feeling more isolated than ever.
In her loneliness, Rita turns to the only photo she has of her mother, a humble farmer’s daughter from the Guyanese rainforest. Driven by a need to uncover the truth about her mother, Rita embarks on a journey to her mother’s homeland. There, amidst the lush and vibrant landscape, she finds comfort in her grandmother’s embrace and the bountiful nature around her. But as she uncovers a painful secret her father kept hidden, Rita must confront her past and find a way to heal.
Thoughts
This book weaves a beautiful and poignant tale of a coming of age story. The prose is strong and the author vividly brings to life the setting of Guyana. The story though simple has an emotional depth, filled with exploration of family secrets and personal growth. I would recommend this book even outside the context of read the world challenge.
Do you have any other recommendation from this country? Please share it in comments.
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