This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Trini Krusader: This page is an excellent summary of Hollywood's take on the Caribbean. This portrayal, common as it is, is often distilled from popular stereotypical views that are two or three decades out of date. For example, 'calypso' has not been considered contemporary party music since the early nineties. "Voodoo" is practised quietly but isn't banned or anything like that. Although to be fair cutlasses - foreigners would call them machetes - are commonplace.
"Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys, played straight. (Yes. Neil Gaiman played something straight.) Well, kind of. Apparently people in the Caribbean are mad about country music(...)" This formerly Caribbean-based troper lived on the island of Saint Lucia, where country music is actually extremely popular. As surprising as it sounds, it's true: it dates back to World War Two, when US troops stationed on the island brought their music with them. Considering Saint Lucia is the only Caribbean island with such a fondness for country music, and since the overall description fits, Gaiman's island isn't that fictional after all. (by the way, this is my first edit, please let me know if I did something wrong!)
