SunFunGospel - Book Review
The Virgin Island Books publishing company has recently released a new title, ‘Sunfun Gospel,’ by local resident author, Julian Putley. The novel is rollicking entertainment from start to finish.
The story is based largely on the fictional island of Dominada where a miracle changes the lives of a local peasant family. Pastor Frazer becomes a ‘born-again’ Christian and soon he is giving sermons in his parish church. Before long he becomes ordained and he and his mentor are raking in large cash donations at Gospel Revivals.
The underlying thread that stitches the whole story together is the ‘banana wars.’ The World Trade Organization has decreed that Caribbean bananas will no longer have an open pathway to European markets so impoverished growers find alternative crops. Even so, derelict banana plantations are seen by many to be an unproductive liability and the opportunity for a land grab is not missed by the unscrupulous tycoon and president of the United Fruit Company. He arrives at the island’s main anchorage on his mega yacht, complete with silver helicopter and puts out the word that he is interested in acquiring ‘useless’ banana plantations, albeit at rather meager prices. When his shady past comes to light the Dominada Action Movement, headed by Pastor Frazer, moves to halt the man’s ambitions and try as he may his aspirations are thwarted at every turn.
The story is liberally sprinkled with Caribbean characters: destitute refugees, pious preachers, struggling peasants, a ganja smoking Rasta man, bungling police, a corrupt politician, alluring girls, an opportunistic money launderer, an array of gospel singers and the crew and guests of a visiting mega yacht… and that’s not all.