Paradise Once is everything that I could have ever wanted in a story that brings to life a people that have left their mark, however small on my island. Here, we see a people who have their own heirarchy and practices, awareness of environment, trade relationships, political structures, and belief systems.

The characters are intricately developed, showcasing the Tainos’ diverse personalities, including calculating, well-intentioned, innocent, and self-serving individuals, all of whom influence the narrative’s progression.

I particularly appreciate Senior’s portrayal of the Tainos as a knowledgeable, accomplished, and skilled people, contrasting with the historically inaccurate depiction of them as naive in relation to their colonizers. What makes me respect even more what Senior has given us here, is a picture of a people who were aware, actualized, talented; not the clueless, naive image that history likes to give is in relation to the colonizers.

I am curious if there is any of Ms. Senior’s work that I will not find appealing. I do not believe there is. Her dedication to relaying our shared history across the Caribbean is inspiring, and I hope that her love in telling our storied past will be carried on into the future.