The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts

by Soraya Palmer

Genre: Literary Fiction / Family Life

ISBN: 9781646220953

Print Length: 288 pages

Publisher: Catapult

A traumatized family reckons with the stories – good and bad, painful and joyful – that have made them who they are.

In the compelling novel “The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts,” the lives of the Porter family unfold against the backdrop of Brooklyn, New York, at the turn of the millennium. Nigel and Beatrice, parents from Jamaica and Trinidad, respectively, struggle with the demons of their pasts, leaving their daughters, Sasha and Zora, to navigate the resulting turmoil while also grappling with their own coming-of-age experiences as children of Black immigrants.

Nigel and Beatrice, both outcasts in their respective families, have carried the weight of their traumatic pasts since their arrival in the United States. Their stories, repeatedly retold to themselves, each other, and their children, form the foundation of their understanding of their lives. As time passes and cycles of trauma persist, new stories interweave with their narratives, shaping their perception of reality. “The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts” explores the multifaceted ways in which the characters use stories—as a refuge, as a weapon, and as a shield from the truth.

The narrative gracefully moves back and forth in time, traversing Brooklyn, Trinidad, and Jamaica. It unfolds through various perspectives, with some passages narrated by the characters themselves in the first person, while others are revealed by an omniscient narrator referred to as “Your Faithful Narrator.” This narrative technique allows for a blend of realism and mythology, with the narrator skillfully infusing folkloric traditions from Trinidad and Jamaica into the storytelling. Anansi, Rolling Calf, Mama Dglo, and other symbolic figures from folklore make enchanting appearances, transforming mundane scenes into fairytale-like vignettes.

Readers may find the alternating between realistic and mythical themes challenging at times, but those who embrace folk and fairy tales as tools for understanding reality or shifting one’s perspective will be captivated by the author’s fluency in this language. Moreover, one of the book’s notable strengths lies in the author’s ability to depict the characters’ complex and often inexplicable human reactions with restraint. Each member of the Porter family is confronted with violence from loved ones, endures pain, shame, and unspeakable trauma, yet they persist in the face of casual and overt bigotry, racism, and sexism.

Central to their resilience is their reliance on storytelling. The characters’ stories evolve and transform as they grapple with their experiences, gain new perspectives, and become better equipped to confront the truths within them. These stories, which delve into themes of illness, sexuality, trauma, shame, poverty, violence, religion, and hypocrisy, are set against the backdrop of places still grappling with the aftermath of colonialism and intergenerational trauma.

In the end, both the Porter family and the reader come to realize that life is a patchwork of stories passed down through countless generations. These stories not only reflect reality but also shape its perception. They are passed from person to person, from parent to child, and back again. With each retelling, individuals gain a measure of control over their own narratives, enabling them to interpret and understand the truths they hold. However, at the core of each story lies an unalterable truth that cannot be denied forever.

“The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts” beautifully illustrates the power of stories in reflecting and shaping our lives. It delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the immigrant experience, and the enduring legacy of intergenerational trauma. Through its exploration of storytelling, the novel emphasizes the resilience and transformative potential inherent in narratives, inviting readers to consider the profound impact of the stories we inherit and pass on to future generations.