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

Depressing, Repetitive and Beautiful..

I will start by saying that I am very glad I listened to this book. The narrator speaks with a Jamaican/Barbados type of accent, but it's with no emotion. I loved the voice at first, but towards the end it got sort of annoying.

This is an extremely dark and depressing book about a young girl with a devastating past who's been sexually and physically abused. It's not at all for the those who may be triggered by this sort of story.

The prose are beautiful, there is opportunity for worthwhile discussion and self reflection, as well as an enormous pull for empathy and sympathy for the main character.

Sometimes it's very difficult (like during a pandemic for instance), to face the horrid side of humanity. For those who wish to keep their reading light, I would stay clear of the One Armed Sister. However, for those who love a dark, gritty novel with no possible chance of joy throughout (I like them every once in awhile), then this is definitely worth your time and ears.

-Wendi

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.

Compelling and intense!

What a great title! HOW THE ONE-ARMED SISTER SWEEPS HER HOUSE is a brilliant debut from Cherie Jones. The namesake derives from the opening fable told by a grandmother to a granddaughter as a warning of what happens to girls who disobey their mothers. This fable is a precursor to the sad story about to unfold.

The story is told from multiple perspectives and timelines and centers around a group of people whose lives are entwined, the secrets they hold and their desperation to escape their legacy.  Set in the beautiful Baxter’s Beach, we see the underbelly of this so-called "paradise”.

Compelling and intense, this left me wanting justice and yearning to help the women in the story who’s lives have been wronged over and over by men who supposedly loved them. The last couple of chapters will stay with me – it broke my heart.  I enjoyed the audio - highly recommend it as the narration is heartbreakingly beautiful -  and am looking forward to see what else Ms. Jones has for us in the future!

Whispered reading

The story in itself is very good. However, the person reading talk so low that some of it is hard to understand and hear. I had to put my car volume on high just to listen.

Phenomenal debut work. I devoured this.

Cherie Jones' characters captured my heart from the first few paragraphs. They are rich and well developed. The plot, storyline and artistic expression are prose at its finest. Well done to this debut author. As a Barbadian, I was deeply touched by this work of fiction and so immensely proud that this author is from my island home. My one regret is that the narrator didn't get the Bajan accent right but maybe that was intentional and does not take anything away from the work. Absolutely worth reading/listening to.

A pleasant surprise!

I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect but the book was very interesting. Thanks tiktok!

Pain in Paradise

Cherie Jones creates a painfully beautiful story full of unexpected twists. I love how she painted a picture of even the smallest of details. Well written and beautifully narrated.

Phenomenal!

Hands down one of the best storyline and performance I have listened to in years.

Great listen

This was beautifully written and read. Such vivid descriptions and observations. I could not stop listening.

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.