Title: Bad Behavior
Author: Alexia Arthurs
In: How to Love a Jamaican (Alexia Arthurs)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Race
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

I can’t imagine the difficulties and perils of raising a daughter (I’m about to find out and I’m terrified). But adding into that mix being immigrants and having to balance different cultures? Wow. This story was a good way to show how difficult that can be.

I enjoyed the way in which the reform for the daughter didn’t come from tough love. It didn’t come from being sent back to the “homeland”. Rather, it came about because the grandmother stopped and TALKED to her granddaughter. It was such a powerful driver to end on and a reminder that communication is important.

The jumpy nature of this story was thoroughly enjoyable. The disjointed nature of the prose felt like life. After all, things aren’t exactly straight forward in life and they certainly aren’t easy. But there can always be a silver lining.

Image source: Goodreads