Oonya Kempadooová se ve své tvorbě zaměřuje na životy a vztahy lidí v karibském prostředí. Její styl je pronikavý a citlivý, často zkoumá složitost mezilidských vztahů a společenské nuance. Kempadooová dokáže mistrně zachytit atmosféru ostrovního života a zároveň proniknout hluboko do psychologie svých postav. Její psaní nabízí čtenářům poutavý vhled do světa, který je zároveň exotický i univerzálně lidský.
Cliff and Ossi, raised in small-town Plymouth, Tobago, encounter a wealthy couple who invite Cliff into their luxurious home. This brief escape from their harsh reality soon unravels as money and the couple's car go missing, exposing class and racial tensions and prompting questions about relationships and responsibility.
Set in 1970s Guyana, the narrative follows a girl's transition from childhood to adolescence in the vibrant town of Tamarind Grove. It explores the lives of its eccentric families, highlighting both their joys and tragedies. Through the protagonist's keen observations, the story captures the cultural and political nuances of the era, reflecting the complexities of growing up and the shift from innocence to a deeper understanding of the world around her.