Beka Lamb
Encyclopedia
Beka Lamb is the debut novel
from Belize
an writer Zee Edgell
, published in 1982 as part of the Heinemann Caribbean Writers Series. It won the Fawcett Society
Book Prize in 1983 and was one of the first novels from Belize to gain international recognition. Deals with social insecurity, racial prejudice and the rule of the consecutive church in a small town. Beka's best friend Toycie Qualo
is older than she is, being 17 at the time when Beka was 14, and in her last year of school gets herself expelled when she gets into a situation where she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend Emilio Villanueva, and dies after a miscarriage
and a short space of time in the local asylum nicknamed "Sea Breeze Hotel". The book is one that constantly uses flash backs points on politics and independence are strongly brought out, since the political struggles for independence in Belize at that time also mirrors Beka's own need for self-rule and her developing maturity. Beka's father (Bill Lamb
) cuts down Beka's favorite tree (a bougainvillea
) as a sign that the wild ways Beka had picked up must stop at once when she finally tells him that she has failed her exam. Her mother (Lilla Lamb) buys her a special book and pen in which she is told to write any lies or stories that she is tempted to tell, in an effort to curb her tale-telling habit. By the end of the book, Beka has transformed from "a flat-rate Belize creole" to a girl with "high mind", since her troubles have forced her to learn the value of money, education, unity within the community and most of all, some manners and respect.
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
from Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
an writer Zee Edgell
Zee Edgell
Zelma I. Edgell, better known as Zee Edgell, MBE, is a writer. She has had four of her novels published. She is an associate professor of English at Kent State University.-Biography:...
, published in 1982 as part of the Heinemann Caribbean Writers Series. It won the Fawcett Society
Fawcett Society
The Fawcett Society is an organisation in the United Kingdom which campaigns for women's rights. The organisation's roots date back to 1866 when Millicent Garrett Fawcett dedicated her life to the peaceful campaign for women's suffrage....
Book Prize in 1983 and was one of the first novels from Belize to gain international recognition. Deals with social insecurity, racial prejudice and the rule of the consecutive church in a small town. Beka's best friend Toycie Qualo
Toycie Qualo
Toycie Qualo is a secondary character in the novel Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell. She is the best friend of main character Beka Lamb and girlfriend of Emilio Villanueva.- Education :...
is older than she is, being 17 at the time when Beka was 14, and in her last year of school gets herself expelled when she gets into a situation where she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend Emilio Villanueva, and dies after a miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
and a short space of time in the local asylum nicknamed "Sea Breeze Hotel". The book is one that constantly uses flash backs points on politics and independence are strongly brought out, since the political struggles for independence in Belize at that time also mirrors Beka's own need for self-rule and her developing maturity. Beka's father (Bill Lamb
Bill Lamb
The Hon. William Henry Lamb was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1938 until 1962 and, variously, a member of the Australian Labor Party and the Lang Labor Party...
) cuts down Beka's favorite tree (a bougainvillea
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a genus of flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina . Different authors accept between four and 18 species in the genus...
) as a sign that the wild ways Beka had picked up must stop at once when she finally tells him that she has failed her exam. Her mother (Lilla Lamb) buys her a special book and pen in which she is told to write any lies or stories that she is tempted to tell, in an effort to curb her tale-telling habit. By the end of the book, Beka has transformed from "a flat-rate Belize creole" to a girl with "high mind", since her troubles have forced her to learn the value of money, education, unity within the community and most of all, some manners and respect.