A novel about racism, prejudice and injustice in the post war years in London as Jamaicans, escaping economic hardship, move to the Mother Country. Told from four characters’ points of view, it deserves all the accolades and prizes it has received. Powerful yet light in touch, humorous yet high in drama, it is a most rewarding and touching read. Won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2004 and on the 25th Jan 2005 the Whitbread 2004 overall.
Head to our 'Black Lit Matters' list to find more must-read novels by black writers.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Orange Prize 'Best of the Best', the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and the Whitbread Award
With an introduction by Monique Roffey
________
I did not dare to dream that it would one day be I that would go to England. It would one day be I that would sail on a ship as big as a world and feel the sun's heat on my face gradually change from roasting to caressing. But there was I! Standing at the door of a house in London and ringing the bell. Pushing my finger to hear the ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling. Oh, Celia Langley, where were you then with your big ideas and your nose in the air? Could you see me? Could you see me there in London? Hortense Roberts married with a gold ring and a wedding dress in a trunk. Mrs Joseph. Mrs Gilbert Joseph. What you think of that, Celia Langley? There was I in England ringing the door bell on one of the tallest houses I had ever seen.
________
'A great read . . . honest, skilful, thoughtful and important'
Guardian
'An engrossing read - slyly funny, passionately angry and wholly involving'
Daily Mail
'Gives us a new urgent take on our past'
Vogue
Small Island features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama, Book Club Recommendations, eBooks of the Month, Sharing Diverse Voices, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
Small Island is available in Paperback, CD-Audio
Small Island was written by Andrea Levy and published by Tinder Press an imprint of Headline Publishing Group
Small Island has 560 pages
£9.89