How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

A Novel

By: Cherie Jones

Narrated by: Danielle Vitalis

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tradition of Zadie Smith and Marlon James, a brilliant Caribbean writer delivers a powerful story about four people each desperate to escape their legacy of violence in a so-called "paradise".

In Baxter’s Beach, Barbados, Lala’s grandmother Wilma tells the story of the one-armed sister. It’s a cautionary tale, about what happens to girls who disobey their mothers and go into the Baxter’s Tunnels. When she’s grown, Lala lives on the beach with her husband, Adan, a petty criminal with endless charisma whose thwarted burglary of one of the beach mansions sets off a chain of events with terrible consequences. A gunshot no one was meant to witness. A new mother whose baby is found lifeless on the beach. A woman torn between two worlds and incapacitated by grief. And two men driven into the Tunnels by desperation and greed who attempt a crime that will risk their freedom - and their lives.

How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House is an intimate and visceral portrayal of interconnected lives, across race and class, in a rapidly changing resort town, told by an astonishing new author of literary fiction.

©2021 Cherie Jones (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

loved it

I loved it! She deals with hard situations brilliantly. Descriptions were very well detailed. Love

The one Arm Sister

Exceptional!!! Oratory!!! The story and title captured my total and complete imagination. Women are weak and strong at the same time.

Excellent Read. Deeply Layered.

really enjoyed this book!
very easy to lose yourself inside of the rich language and deeply complex layered characters.
so happy to have found it.

Very good book.

Pretty much flawless. Even the ending which some people might struggle with, seemed appropriate to me.

Fabulous

A five star audio narration
I was completely gripped/ an outstanding debut

This story reminded me of Marlon James A Brief History of Seven Killings and Little Bee by Chris Cleave. On the small island of Barbados a cast of locals and island visitors lives collide with a robbery gone wrong and the premature birth of a baby.

There is gun violence, domestic violence and mention of incest/rape but it’s never gratuitous or graphic.

Original Voice

An interesting and captivating story. I adorned the fact that the narrator had an authentic carribbean voice. What a refreshing change and it brought the story to life for me. I can't wait to hear another story with someone that sounds like my family again.

Simply Amazing

I loved everything about this book. I honestly think all the characters are well developed and the narrator's Caribbean accent was on point. I must advise that it has a lot of traumatic occurrences that many might not be able to handle. However if you're into Caribbean lit, this is right up your alley

Terrific listen!!

This first time author has a great future. I’ve been traveling to Barbados for many years and know it well. The author has captured the underside of this island paradise. The narrator brings the story to life. I highly recommend it.

Violent! No redemption for the characters!

I longed for more inflection in the readers voice at times, monotone. Creative description but no closure for the characters. Interesting title and that’s why I continued listening.

Great Read

Was so happy to see a Bajan author getting such great buzz! My book club recently read the book and definitely found it very engaging. It really resonated with our Caribbean members. My only slight quibble was with the ending. I'd recommend it!