Elizabeth Jaikaran’s Debut Book ‘Trauma’ Provides Healing to Women of Color

Jaikaran’s collection of short stories details the lives and the trauma of real Guyanese women, most of whom are her direct ancestors. The stories are told in first-person with an honesty that makes every story seem relatable. Her compelling prose, sometimes breaking into poetry, is defined by her attention to detail, from using Guyanese Creole in dialogue to including lyrics from Bollywood songs and beautifully describing the bustling streets of Richmond Hill, New York. Her imagery makes the reader feel like they are living and breathing the stories of these women. In between each narrative, Jaikaran provides an informational chapter for additional context and depth to the stories of these women. These chapters include information on the Indo-Muslim heritage of Guyana, the indigenous peoples of Guyana, and on mental health within the Guyanese community.
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