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How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

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About this listen

Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2021

Audiofile Earphones Award Winner 2021

In Baxter's Beach, Barbados, Lala's grandmother, Wilma, tells the story of the one-armed sister, a cautionary tale about what happens to girls who disobey their mothers.

For Wilma, it's the story of a wilful adventurer, who ignores the warnings of those around her, and suffers as a result.

When Lala grows up, she sees it offers hope - of life after losing a baby in the most terrible of circumstances and marrying the wrong man.

And Mira Whalen? It's about keeping alive, trying to make sense of the fact that her husband has been murdered and she didn't get the chance to tell him that she loved him after all.

How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House is the powerful, intense story of three marriages and of a beautiful island paradise where, beyond the white sand beaches and the wealthy tourists, lies poverty, menacing violence and the story of the sacrifices some women make to survive.

©2021 Cherie Jones (P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Ltd Caribbean Creators Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mental Health Awareness Women's Fiction Marriage Heartfelt Scary Tear-jerking Inspiring Thought-Provoking Caribbean

Critic reviews

"Rare is the first book that reveals the writer fully formed, the muscles and sinews of her sentences firm and taut, the voice distinctly her own." (Washington Post)

"A bright new star. Cherie Jones draws us with skill, delicacy and glorious style into a vortex of Bajan lives on the edge." (Diana Evans)

"A hard-hitting and unflinching novel from a bold new writer." (Bernardine Evaristo)
All stars
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incredible writing that will both horrify you and break your heart. the narration is superb.

Outstanding.

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Fantastically read and a truly gripping and moving story. Wonderful depiction of Island life and the struggles and violent side of it's native population.

Amazing in every way

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I loved this relentlessly dark novel. The lyricism of the prose somewhat alleviated the all too real subject. I hope Lala found happiness

Beautifully narrated, grim subject matter

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A tough listen, a heart wrenching story of life beyond the beautiful beaches of Barbados. Superb narration. The hopeless lives of these characters is shocking. This is an excellent book despite the sadness and violence.

Grim but somehow beautiful

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An unsettling and difficult listen but worth it. This is the other side of life in Barbados and the narrator gets the tone just right. I can’t say I enjoyed it but it was an enthralling experience and I now have the book from the library. I think it stands a good chance of winning the women’s prize for fiction. Well worth a listen. You will appreciate the world more.

BAJAN TRUTH

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