Caribbee

"Caribbee" by Thomas Hoover is a late 20th-century historical novel that plunges into the heart of 1648 Barbados, where rebellion against English dominance clashes with the brutal realities of the burgeoning slave trade. The narrative vividly paints a picture of this tumultuous era through the stories of diverse characters – English colonists and enslaved Africans – as they navigate their desperate searches for freedom and survival. The story introduces readers to the Caribbean of 1638, following a group of English hunters, led by Jacques le Basque, as they plan revenge against the Spanish for their attacks. Among them, a young Englishman's moral struggles take center stage as he wrestles with the idea of targeting his own countrymen for loot. This morally challenging moment highlights the intense mix of struggle and honor, setting the stage for the conflicts that define the early American colonies and the complicated relationships that emerge amidst colonization and slavery.