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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A Distant Shore

A Distant Shore by Caryl Phillips 

Phillips' "A Distant Shore" examines the lives of two people, Dorothy and Solomon, who never fully connect with each other or the world around them.  Dorothy has lived a very unsatisfying life and her move to Stoneleigh highlights to her all the misery she has lived.  Solomon who has changed his name from Gabriel has escaped from his home African country after the the massacre of his family. 
 As large part of the story focus on Solomon/Gabriel journy from Africa to his home in Stoneleigh.

The most moving part of the story is one that is only told through the actions of  Dorothy and Solomon.  Both are very lonely and have lived lives which they couldn't possible have expected.  They clearly connect with each other but are unable to fully open up to each other.  All of their loses do not allow them to come close enough to each other and eventually lead to their downfall. 


NPR interview with Caryl Phillips

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