The Lunatic

What a ride reading this book was! This is my first book to have read by Anthony Winkler and I am looking forward to reading some of his other books, like "The Painted Canoe" and "The Family Mansion". After Edgar Mittelholzer, I can say that Anthony Winkler has become one of my favorite Caribbean literature writers.The Lunatic is the story of Aloysius, the local madman of a town in Jamaica. This story features a slice of Jamaica in every sense. There is some history, humor, culture, ways of life, local outlook on life, murder, social classes, geography... What's not in this novel?Narration and descriptions are in rich but unpretentious standard English, although dialogues are in Jamaican English. However, I was able to understand the book the whole time, even though I am not a native speaker of English. I really enjoyed how Mr. Winkler gets really deep while using foul language without ever coming across as pretentious or vulgar. Some of his appreciations had me thinking "I know, right?" During the entire book. The only chapter that I did not like, and found quite boring, was that of the cricket match. I did nit understand the point of going through a cricket match from beginning to end in so much detail.I recently traveled to Jamaica and I wish that I had read this book beforehand; I would have definitely appreciated and enjoyed the experience more. Another novel set in Jamaica that I can highly recommend is Orlando Patterson's "The Children of Sisyphus". While this novel does not have the funny twist of The Lunatic, it will haunt you after you finish it for the Jamaica it portrays that it is not featured in guidebooks.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Mr. Winkler's writing and the stories he tells in the most effortless of ways. If you're from the Caribbean you can really identify with the story and narrative. Many small villages had or have that "village mad man".Well written, good storyline and so funny! A really good read for adults.

Let me just start by saying I wasn’t a big fan of Inga. I love the lunatic and his friend the tree. Oh yes and the bush that thought he was a southern American preacher, LOL! Service gave me the heebie-jeebies. All these characters mixed together made me laugh time and time again. This book is so so funny! I would recommend this book to any mature adult that is not squeamish about sex or pom-pom and hood references. Do you want a quick and funny read this is your book. So so so hilarious!!!

I have The Lunatic, The Duppy, Dog War, The Mansion..... Wrinlker's books are thought provoking. I have discussed his books with some Jamaicans who did not like them. That's understandable. You have to read them with an open mind. He takes all our Jamaican "isms" and turns them inside out. And it is hilarious. When he describes a scene I can visualize it. I can hear the people talking, see their attitudes, know how they feel and their intentions. His characters are very "Jamaican" and he challenges their deep rooted beliefs. Not judging if those beliefs are right or wrong, just challenging his characters, and us, to see another perspective. The Lunatic is actually a political and social commentary wrapped in humour, and madness. Yet it is not beating you over the head with any one particular leaning. I read it anytime I want a good laugh, and cry over the madness in this world.

This is undoubtedly the funniest book I have ever read. 10 years ago in my college dorm through peals of laughter, which had everyone thinking I had gone mad - as mad as Aloysius - I read this tale in 24 hours. Since then I have reread the book several times and given copies as gifts for a variety of occasions. Each time, the response of belly ripping laughter has been the same.This is a true depiction of the quintessential Jamaican rural mad man. Those of us who grew up in rural Jamaica know an Aloysius. The theme might seem like a simple silly Jamaican comedy, but the writing style is eloquent and easy. Tony does not skip a beat.I have two criticisms; the first is that we end on an anti-climax as if the writer ran out of ideas or he became tired of writing. Therefore I felt that the tale ended too abruptly. Then again, this feeling could also be due to my desire to have this story go on and on. My second criticism is that I sensed a touch of Condescension by the narattor to ordinary poor country folk. In the Jamaican context, the church going old woman who slept with the mad man would hardly have done such a thing. But then again this is fiction. I guees the problem for me is that when fiction mimics real life so closely, one wants consistency throughout. Nevertheless, I give this five stars - and more - every time I read it.Also recommended: Slip Stream, by Rachel Manley, Orange Laughter, by Leone Ross, Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams.

This book is very funny, and the funniest parts are hilarious and surprising exchanges between the lunatic and certain non-human characters. To me , these exchanges bring the book out of them realm of the literary usual into the realm of the literary unusual. Consequently, the book deserves 5 stars. However, the book devolves away from these exquisite characters into its penultimate and ultimate plots, which are interesting, but nowhere near as interesting as the simple conversations between the lunatic and his fantastical commentators. I give it a net of 4 stars instead of five because of the author's decision to veer away from a class of characters that occupied my thoughts and made many of my days.

Not my kind of book. I did not like this book at all and quit reading it after several chapters.Then read reviews. Many people did not like it.

A sad, funny, shocking story well told.

great book

First read this 30 years ago and just repurchased it after being reminded of the wonders of 'pum pum'. Still one of the funniest books I have come across.

This is as funny as the author's The Duppy. I was in in tears, laughing while reading this book.