Port Of Spain - Post Report Question and Answers

Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

Usually people leave some obscure book that nobody has ever heard of to sound intelligent. They're fools. I can't think of a book that would describe this place well. Call the incumbent or anyone that you know who has served here before. That's your best bet. - Aug 2021


Nope. - Mar 2019


Books: Earl Lovelace’s "The Dragon Can’t Dance" and Michael Anthony’s "A Year in San Fernando" are required reading. Naipaul’s "Miguel Street" and "A House for Mr. Biswas" are indispensable, too.

Mid-20th century novels to buy include anything by Sam Selvon. For a more recent depiction of life in T&T—at least from the point of view of the (upper) middle class—read Liz Walcott-Hackshaw’s "Mrs. B." If you want history, have a look at anything by Bridget Brereton. You should also leaf through Eric Williams’s "Capitalism and Slavery." Last but not least, "Sugar Barons" by Matthew Parker is an engaging read that gives information about the region’s once-prosperous sugar industry.

Movies: The only film I can recommend is “Bazodee,” which came out last year. It stars Michel Montano, T&T’s most famous soca artist, and provides insight into a certain subset of the Trini population. - Apr 2017


"A Little Book of Hangover Cures" - Jun 2015


The Caribbean by James Michener; The Rough Guide to Trinidad & Tobago (a must); trinioutdoors.com. - Oct 2012


Lime Tree Don't Bear Orange - Feb 2011


See above. Actually anything by Nobel Prize Winner V S Naipul. - Mar 2008


A House for Mr. Biswas, VS Naipul; the new November 2007 edition of the RoughGuide to T and T; Insight Guide (but it is out of date); Cote Ci-Cote La, a Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary (also shows folk customs and photos): Trinidad and Tobago, Tranquil and Terrific; Naparima Girls' School Cookbook, Second Edition - Mar 2008


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