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From Booklist, February 15, 1998
Distinguished Trinidadian novelist Lovelace writes fiction as syncopated, sinuous, and irresistible as the calypso music that punctuates the lives of his poor but proud characters. Here, as he did in the award-winning Salt, Lovelace peers beneath the rigid structure of island society into the desiring hearts of men and women struggling for recognition, respect, and love. Carnival season has just begun in Calvary Hill, a Port of Spain shantytown, and Miss Cleothilda, the carnival queen, and Aldrick, the dragon king, try to concentrate on creating their elaborate costumes, but both are distracted by a young beauty named Sylvia. The queen senses a rival, and Aldrick, famous for his avoidance of work and marriage, feels love coming on. Conflict also drives Fisheye, a warrior without a cause whose restlessness infects his fellow drummers to the point that their steel bands become veritable street gangs, and Pariag, the only Indian on the Hill and the most ambitious and innocent of the lot. As Lovelace masterfully choreographs the dance of each of his finely drawn characters, he reveals the conundrums not only of Caribbean but of the human condition itself. Copyright © 1998, American Library Association. All rights reserved.

From Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 1998
Caribbean writer Lovelace, whose Salt won the 1997 Commonwealth Writer's Prize, returns with a story (first published in England in 1979) that offers a defining and luminously sensitive portrait of postcolonial island life. The island in question is recently independent Trinidad, but it could be any Caribbean island settled by European planters, African slaves, and indentured East Indians. Carnival time is at hand, and the inhabitants of the Hill, former slaves, who "survive here, holding their poverty as a possession," are getting ready for this Mardi Graslike celebration: Steel bands are practicing, calypso singers and writers--like the diffident Philo--are creating new songs, and Aldrick Prospect, as usual, is working on his dragon costume. Aldrick, who, like most of the men, is unemployed, comes alive at Carnival, where it's his mission to do the Dragon dance, a dance that expresses all the people's frustrations and memories of their warrior past, and affirms their power--power that, if provoked, could burn down the city. But this year Aldrick, who's spurned the advances of young Sylvia, finds himself brooding. Change is in the air--those steel bands are acquiring commercial sponsors, the old fighting spirit of the people is changing to passive acceptance, and Aldrick's friends are drifting away and making new lives. After Carnival, Aldrick, feeling like "the last symbol of rebellion," continues to brood, especially when he sees Sylvia take up with Guy, a notorious womanizer. He befriends Fisheye, an angry radical, and joins a futile rebellion against the government. Aldrick is jailed but, unlike the others, doesn't accept defeat, and once released--still depressed--he returns to the Hill. Finally, a quiet epiphany and a promise of Sylvia's affection present him with hope and reason enough to give up the impotent protest of the Dragon's dance. A poignant, beautifully crafted tale about a man and his country on the cusp of change. -- Copyright © 1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Comments from Amazon.com

A reader from Brooklyn, New York, September 28, 1998 After reading the book I felt that I was back in Trinidad. The Carnival masquerader in Trinidad is a fanatic. I remember as a child a neighbor of mine built a masquerade costume in his home. After completion he found that the front door was too small to permit the costume to go through. What did he do? He broke down the door and said: "Ash Wednesday I will fix it back." That is the character that the protagonist reminded me of. The book brought back memories of my childhood spent in Trinidad around carnival time. Every Trinbagonian should read this book. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters. It was a lovely book.

A reader from Trinidad & Tobago/New York, September 17, 1998
Years after its publication, "Dragon" remains peerless as a native anthropology of postcolonial creole society in Trinidad. Lovelace's loving critique of race and politics combine with a celebration of society (and a sentimentality in writing women) in ways few other scholars or writers achieve. "Dragon"'s power is unmatched by either "Wine" or "Salt" (Lovelace's later works).

Book Description
Carnival is supposed to be a happy time, but Lily wishes it were over. Her family has been working on the gorgeous hummingbird costume for months, but it's Lily's big sister, Christine, who will wear it at the Children's Carnival. Lily doesn't want to wait till next year for her chance to jump up in costume. She wants to play mas now! How Christine's big day turns out to be a big day for Lily as well makes a satisfying story, with lilting dialogue and pastel illustrations that capture the tropical colors and vibrant energy of Carnival in Trinidad. Lynn Joseph was born in Trinidad and now lives in Hollis, New York.