Annie John Book Summary

Annie John novel is a fiction-based. Jamaica Kincaid's 1985 novel Annie John is about a young girl growing up on the island of Antigua. Annie John as aa child moves from puberty to womanhood. Annie John is 10 years old when the story begins. She is temporarily living with her mother outside of town.

She frequently attends funerals and memorial ceremonies to observe the mourners, occasionally staring longingly at remains in their coffins. Annie is close to her parents when she is young. Annie's neighborhood's Red Girl is from a poor family. Her mother gives her a lot of independence, and the Red Girl is tough and self-reliant. Anne finds Gwen a little boring once they start playing together.

Annie develops a weird fever that makes her terribly unwell. Because conventional doctors are unable to help her, her mother seeks the help of an obeah healer. Annie is accepted to a nursing school in England when she is seventeen years old. She stops to say goodbye to Gwen on the day she is supposed to leave and finds her former friend stupid and immature. Annie's parents escort her to the ship, and her mother sobs as she says her goodbyes. Annie cries as well, but she is relieved to be leaving her home as the ship departs port.