In this synthesis of literary, historical and political studies, Malouf (English, George Mason University) covers the interactions and cross- influences between Ireland and the islands of the
Caribbean. He traces the immigration of Irish to the islands, usually as workers, but also, as in the case of Montserrat, as land and slave owners. The cross- cultural influences are
demonstrated through the lives and work of Marcus Garvy and Claude McKay in the early twentieth century and the poet Derek Wolcott in the 1970s and 1980s. The tension between social solidarity
and racial chasms runs through the book, ending in the music of Sinead O'Connor, who adapted Caribbean rhythms in her personal spiritual exploration. Malouf shows through his examples how
permeable culture can be. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
