“So few Caribbean fictions render the voice of the quiet, respectable, middle-class husband and father. Here, the young Eddy Roberts falls in love with “my Suzy” and over a lifetime (and eleven children, who each have their own stories) never ceases to love her. I found it, in the words of the talented BVI poet Richard Georges, “wondrous” the way that Haynes managed to “mine the mundane, the everyday” of one family, one couple, and “find glory in it.”
“The author delves into the family histories often hidden from children as each member of a sprawling Trinidadian family gets their moment in the spotlight in this good-natured novel….Haynes writes with energy and clear sentences that capture the flavor of Trinidad society…Haynes’s Talent Show offers an interesting glimpse of both the culture of Trinidad in the 20th century and the dynamics of a large family.”
“The author’s text is searching and usually serious and reminds the reader of messages in other, significantly older books about family life, even those with humorous perspectives…Ultimately, Haynes’ story stands on its own merits and insightfully probes into the talents that people must practice to successfully cope with life.”
“The authenticity and heart the author poured into this narrative was the first thing that stood out….Any reader who has ever been part of a big family, especially those who are engaged with genre fiction storytelling and family dramas, will instantly be invested in this narrative. …Talent Show by Denise Haynes is an enjoyable, family-friendly book that teaches valuable lessons about self-acceptance and courage. It’s an excellent choice for young readers who may find themselves feeling hesitant to share their own talents or simply want a fun, relatable story.”