Can a woman do what a man do and still be considered a lady? That is the age old question that reverberates around man-woman relationships since the beginning of time as it speaks to societal norms and attitude towards a woman and her sexuality. We are taught or at least socialised to subscribe to the notion that a woman must be chaste or at least keep to one partner at a time. At the same time, rationalising when a man does the opposite, often just chocking it up to the nature of the beast or as some would style it, the ‘ole dawg’ in him. But who says that we should be shackled by societal rules when society neither lives with us nor keeps us warm at night? One book seeks to challenge this notion.
“Tall, Dark and Bad” is Crystal Evan’s literary contribution to the whole debate and she packs in a whopper into the bulky novel about a woman rising like the phoenix out of a relationship quagmire to do things her way and just ignore what others may feel about it. The book chronicles the goings-on of 32 year old Saf, a successful business woman and mother of three who previously was caught in a bad romance, like Lady Gaga said, ‘when dealing with her ex’. His infidelity, betrayal, verbal abuse and constant manipulation did a number on her self-worth and self-esteem and Saf had to rebuild her life and everything else, step by painful step.
In the midst of her healing comes two gentlemen, both ambitious, both go getters and both tall, dark and bad. Jason is a business man who is bitter having been forced to go through a divorce and be away from his children, while the other, Jevon, is a street hustler who has trust issues especially since the police killed his elder brother. Both men are as different as chalk and cheese but she sees something in them and they certainly see her as an upgrade from their previous relationships and therefore pursue her the way a carnivore pursues fresh meat. ‘Tall, Dark and Bad’ is about Saf’s choices and how she learnt to play by her own rules and not be swayed by her heart and sweet words though at times, being human, she succumbs to the inevitable and straddles the fences between love, lust and life’s ongoing lessons.
The novel is bulky, yes, but it is worth the read because it is very relatable as every woman has had her heart broken at least once or has questioned the things their partner says to them. It also is worth turning its pages because it boasts Jamaican scenarios being set out in the west of the island plus its patois phraseology flows like a conversation that you would have with a friend or one that can take place right in your head if you are willing to admit that you talk to yourself. Written in a matter of fact manner, it speaks to how we sometimes think, feel and even minimise red flags when we want to make something out of nothing because of that pesky little thing called love.
To read more, please purchase a copy of Buzzz Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine Vol 11 #2 at any supermarket, pharmacy or book store near you.