The Boy from Willow Bend

the long version

Review "The plot is exciting and moves swiftly. ... The characters in Hillhouse's book feel real and, best of all, they feel Caribbean, but the story could have held up in any culture." --Trinidad Guardian "The book stands out as an example of self-redemption, self-motivation, and self-preservation ..." --She Caribbean "The coming of age story is well crafted, lively and absolutely believable." --Daily Observer, Antigua Product Description The Boy from Willow Bend tells the story of Vere, an Antiguan youth, with an irrepressible spirit which is tested as he comes of age amid poverty, loss, and hard knocks. The women in his life - his absent mother, longsuffering tanty, rebellious June, first crushes Kim and Makeba, and first girlfriend Elizabeth - help shape him; so, too, his abrasive grandfather and others. In the end, though, he grows into his own person; bright, talented, a survivor. The Boy from Willow Bend, now on the Antigua and Barbuda schools reading list, was originally published in 2002 by Macmillan. The second edition, released in 2009, was published by Hansib.