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.

The 10th anniversary edition of Andrea Levy's iconic, million-copy bestselling novel, with a foreword by Gary Younge. It is 1948, and England is recovering from a war. But at 21 Nevern Street, London, the conflict has only just begun. Gilbert Joseph was one of thousands of Jamaican men who joined the RAF to fight against Hitler. Returning to England as a civilian, he finds himself treated very differently.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
The 10th anniversary edition of Andrea Levy's iconic, million-copy bestselling novel, with a foreword by Gary Younge. It is 1948, and England is recovering from a war.
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
Paperback, CD-Audio. Not Available.
Small Island was written by Andrea Levy and published by Tinder Press an imprint of Headline Publishing Group
Small Island has 533 pages