Title: Born As A Sufferer

Author: Laura E. Johnson

Reviewed by: Adam Syde

The notes at the back of this book say it was written by award-winning writer Laura E. Johnson, but award or no award, Born As A Sufferer is a literary disaster. The reasons for its failure are many, and it is hoped that when people set out to pursue a career in novel writing, they know how to write.

A successful novel must have a well-told, engaging story with a dynamic plot, multidimensional characters, and a satisfying climax. The use of literary devices and the writer's own style will help to achieve all of that. And not all novels will have a similar structure and rhythm, and not all the elements will be well developed, but there are certain key ingredients that must be well processed for the reader's total satisfaction.

Ghetto life

The book is about the struggles of a young couple, its relatives and associates, and set amid the harsh realities of inner-city Kingston. Some died, but others survived the vicissitudes of life in 'Concrete Jungle'. But that is it; there is no plot, no storyline. In between the compilation of the fictitious experiences, there are 'songs', poems, reflective verses, a love letter, whatever they are.

Pagination was done in double line, font size 13 or 14, with too much space between the words. In parts, the tone is crass, and borders on what I call 'skettelian'. The switching of tenses is rampant. Then, in one line there is reported speech, in the next, direct speech. The language use is basic; the application of figures of speech is elementary as in "they were like bread and butter". There were a few anticlimactic attempts at using sexual imagery.

Stillborn

The notes also said she (the author) "knew she loved to write", but not every person who loves to write can 'write'. For, this writer, who is an army officer, cannot write to save her life. Yet, the book got published, and there is going to be a sequel! There should not be one, because the prequel was stillborn.

Forget the elements of novel writing and good storytelling, and the lack thereof. The book is also replete with unpardonable spelling, factual, mechanical, grammar, usage, and punctuation errors. Here are just a few of them. Even the name of the book has an error. It should have been 'Born A Sufferer' My corrections are in parentheses.

Mangos - three instances (mangoes); JLP colours were orange, green and yellow; Jamaica Laborite (Labour) Party; lack-luster (lacklustre); Holly (Holy) Childhood high (High) school (School); salt fishes; Downkirk and Down Kirk (Dunkirk); some one (someone); masters degree (master's degree); I heard gun shots (gunshots) fired (fire); Bonny (Bonnie) and Clyde; Bellview (Bellevue) hospital (Hospital); blood stained (blood-stained) shirts; soars (sores) on her feet; diagnosed with HIV (A person cannot be diagnosed with a virus).

The list continues: rid him of the disease (HIV is not a disease. It is a virus.); aids (AIDS); Andreas's (Andrea's) letters; Spanish town (Town); GOD (God); south-side (Southside); nationalities in prison - Blacks, Whites, Japanese and Chinese (blacks and whites are not nationalities); final respect (respects); if it wasn't (weren't); whole sale (wholesale); apple (ample) breast (breasts); any one (anyone) else; can not (cannot) imagine; he came home at a descent (decent) time; self worth (self-worth); its' (it's) a pity; as fast as lightening (lightning); I found a seat next to and (an) old woman.

Editing needed

Who edited this book? Who proofread this book? Who told the writer that she could write? There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a dream, but in order for a dream to be realised, the dreamer must equip herself with the requisite skills, which will become even sharper as she practises her craft. Even if a person has good writing skills and understands the elements of writing, there are certain language skills that are necessary to enhance such writing skills.

And that is the dilemma this book finds itself in. It is bereft of all the essential ingredients of good

writing, and it is littered with many embarrassing grammar and usage errors. Before the sequel is published, please, madam writer, seek help. There are many good courses on novel writing and English language in the United States where you reside. Because, if you don't, your dream is going to fester as the 'soars' on Denise Ann's feet.