Shifting the focus from poetry to the novel; from Afro-Cuban writing to the representation of Asian-Caribbean women; from the oral tradition to the scribal, this critical anthology develops the debate concerning ways of reading Caribbean women's literature. Framing The Word offers challenging perspectives from writers and critics alike writing and/or teaching in the Caribbean, the UK and the USA. Reflecting on the diversity within that body of literature generally known as Caribbean women's writing, Framing The Word moves beyond the celebratory to explore and substantiate the central questions of gender and genre. This book will be of special interest to students, teachers and a wider readership interested to become better informed about this remarkable and vibrant new writing.