NeMLA Reads Together

"NeMLA Reads Together" promotes a novel written by our invited keynote speaker for all our attendees to read during the year preceding our convention.

Tiphanie Yanique, "Land of Love and Drowning"

Tiphanie Yanique.

NeMLA's 55th Annual Convention will feature Tiphanie Yanique's novel Land of Love and Drowning

In the early 1900’s an important ship sinks into the Caribbean Sea, just as the Virgin Islands are transferred from Danish to American rule. Orphaned by the sunk vessel are two sisters and their half brother, now faced with an uncertain   identity and future. Each of them is unusually beautiful, and each in possession of a particular magic that will either sink or save them.

Land of Love and Drowning.

Chronicling three generations of an island family from 1916 to the 1970s, Land of Love and Drowning is a novel of love and magic, set against the political emergence of St. Thomas into an American territory. Wholly unique, with echoes of Toni Morrison, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and the author’s own Caribbean family history, the story is told in a language and rhythm that evokes an entire world and way of life and love. Following the Bradshaw family through 60 years of fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, love affairs, curses, magical gifts, loyalties, births, deaths, and triumphs, Land of Love and Drowning is a gorgeous, vibrant debut by an exciting, prize-winning young writer.