In Another Place, Not Here

by Dionne Brand
In Another Place, Not Here cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 5937
  • Added: 2025-10-27
  • Updated: 2025-10-27
  • ISBN: 9780307368546
  • Publisher: Vintage Canada
  • Published: 2011-02-11
  • Reviews: 3

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Toronto and the Caribbean, this novel beautifully captures the essence of spiritual exile and the power of human connection. Two women, vastly different yet bound by their shared yearning for belonging, navigate their lives in a story that is as profound as it is evocative. /n/nThe narrative is meticulously crafted, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and cultural nuances. The author's exquisite prose brings to life the complexities of love, identity, and the search for a place to call home. This is a tale that resonates with the universal human experience of longing and the quest for belonging.

Reviews
Buried in Print · 2014-03-09
beautiful 4.25

The poetic prose is searingly beautiful but can be overwhelming at times. The reviewer suggests reading it slowly to fully appreciate its depth.

The reviewer is struck by the novel's poetic prose, which they find both beautiful and searing. They note that the prose can be overwhelming at times, and they suggest reading the novel slowly to fully appreciate its depth and complexity. They also appreciate the novel's exploration of themes like love, belonging, and the migrant experience, which they find both compelling and necessary. Overall, they describe the novel as a powerful and unforgettable exploration of the human condition.

Quick quotes

    The poetic prose in Brand's novel is searingly beautiful, but almost overwhelming at times.

    I'd suggest reading it slowly to fully appreciate its depth and complexity.

    The novel gives a voice to Caribbean immigrant women, which is both powerful and necessary.

Casey The Canadian Lesbrarian · Casey the Canadian Lesbrarian · 2012-06-20
thoughtful 4.50

The novel is praised for its unflinching critique of Canada's multicultural facade. The narrative is deeply immersive and emotionally resonant.

This reviewer highlights the novel's powerful critique of Canada's attempts at multiculturalism, which they find both insightful and necessary. The story is divided into two halves, each focusing on a different woman, and the reviewer appreciates how this structure allows for a rich, layered exploration of themes like love, belonging, and migration. They also note that the novel's prose is beautifully crafted, making it a rewarding read that lingers in the mind long after finishing.

Quick quotes

    Brand is not lenient in her criticism of Canada, and particularly Toronto, in their hollow attempts to paint themselves as multicultural.

    It's a novel to give yourself over to, to immerse yourself in.

    The prose is beautiful and the characters are compelling.

Grove Atlantic · 2000-03-17
fierce 4.75

The novel is described as a fierce and sensuous exploration of women in migration, both political and emotional. Its dreamlike quality and relentless historical revelation are noted.

The reviewer describes the novel as a powerful and evocative exploration of the experiences of migrant women, particularly those from the Caribbean. They appreciate the novel's dreamlike quality, which they find both concrete and visionary. The reviewer also notes the novel's unflinching portrayal of historical and political realities, which they find both compelling and necessary. Overall, they describe the novel as a relentless and unforgettable exploration of love, belonging, and the migrant experience.

Quick quotes

    A fierce, sensuous novel of women in migration–political and emotional.

    Concrete and visionary as a dream, relentless as the history it reveals.

    The novel gives voice to the power of love and belonging in a story that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

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