Brother Man

''Brother Man'' (1954) by Jamaican author Roger Mais (died 1955), is the author's best-known work. Set in "e;The Lane"e; in the slums, the story follows John Power, known as Brother Man. An honest cobbler and healer, John Power lives a peaceful life according to his faith, eventually being viewed as a prophet or Christ-like figure by the community. Papacita, a violent local enforcer, grows jealous of Brother Man's influence and his relationship with Minette, a young woman Brother Man rescued from the streets. The narrative functions as a modern allegory of Christ, depicting Brother Man s rise as a healer, his eventual betrayal by those he helped, and his symbolic "e;crucifixion"e; and persecution by the community. The novel often delves into the psychological and social pressures of Jamaican urban life, functioning as a compassionate look at the dispossessed.