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As a small boy, Alex becomes ensnared in the schemes of his mother, Cathlean, as she seeks to entrap a white British soldier, John, and “marry up” to improve her status in life. Her plan comes to fruition when John becomes obsessed with Cathlean, marries her, then takes her and her son away from her native country of Belize to live in England. Cathlean becomes the society woman in England but begs her husband to return to Belize so she can show off her new status to her friends and fellow “good-time” girls. They return ten years later, but an unhappy Alex seeks solace in the arms of Sherrette. They fall head over heels but soon find their own problems as fast-paced revelations affect their fragile relationship. Told in a first-person view of life in Dangriga, Belize, young Alex’s story reflects on the color of his pain as he seems to bear the brunt of Cathlean’s selfish brand of pain that she calls love.
Cultural differences, namely between life in Belize and England are incorporated into a deeply woven character-driven book by author Melisa E. Arnold in her novel The Color of Pain. A narrative which moves between moments of warmth, periods of deep turmoil, romance, hardship and social reflection, Arnold crafted a book mirroring the unpredictable nature of real life. This will have a profound effect on all readers, which is exactly what a book of this genre should achieve.
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The Color of Pain by author Melisa E. Arnold is a deeply emotionally written novel which has so many interwoven elements blending seamlessly into an unforgettable story. It has a truth and cultural depth in the narrative demonstrating a true gift of storytelling. The skillful use of colloquial prose brings a vivid immersion in the moments along with the cultural nuances of Caribbean life with expressions, names and details revealing authenticity. This writing is a literary journey which feels both educational and deeply personal, revealing a lifestyle which may be unfamiliar to many.
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Melisa E. Arnold was born in Dangriga Town, Belize, Central America. She emigrated to the U. S. in 1978, and always knew that she had that one great American novel that she wanted to write. After listening to other peers and expatriates and their shared angst over the years, she decided to write “The Color Of Pain “, a semi-autobiographical novel of growing up Garifuna, abandoned by parents who claimed to have her and her best interests at heart… Read More
