Green Days by the River Summary

Green Days by the River Summary

Green Days by the River is the story of a Trinidadian boy named Shellie, who moves to a new village and there he meets two girls. He likes both girls, Rosalie Ghidaree and Joan. He started to work for Rosalie’s father on his plantation though his father was upset. Joan is staying with family on her Christmas vacation. He is able to meet Joan more than Rosalie and just before she leaves he took her to the Ghidaree plantation and they carved their names in a tree. 

Three weeks later Shellie’s father dies of lung cancer. A couple of weeks later he decides to quit working for Mr. Ghidaree and to leave school. He starts working in the cocoa field to help pay the bills and care for his mother. Rosalie is jealous because now he spends a lot of time with Joan. Shellie is invited to a school party where he kisses Rosalie. She believes that he is going to break up with Joan.

While at home she discovers the tree with Joan’s and Shellie’s name carved in it. She is very upset and tells her father it what had happened at the party. Mr. Ghidaree became angry and later asked Shellie to go to his plantation to water the plants while he picked some fruits. Mr. Ghidaree’s dogs attack Shellie biting him savagely. Mr. Ghidaree returns and tells Shellie that he commanded the dogs to attack him because he had misled his daughter and lied to her. He demands that Shellie and marry Rosalie once she becomes 18. Shellie agrees and Mr. Ghidaree takes him to the hospital. The novel ends with wedding preparations being made for Shell and Rosalie as his future father-in-law reassures him that everything will be alright.. 

The book describes the life experiences and development of a teenager with themes of innocence, poverty, youth, love, revenge and confusion.

 Done by: Ashvin Ramgoolam