Small Island by Andrea Levy
"Small Island" is a historical novel that explores the intertwined histories of Jamaica and the UK, as well as the themes of race, empire, and migration. The story is set in 1948 and is told from four different perspectives: two Jamaican immigrants, Hortense and Gilbert, who move to England after World War II, and an English couple, Queenie and Bernard. The narrative explores the racial tension, discrimination, and culture shock that the immigrants face in their new home, while also delving into the complexities of war, identity, and the British Empire.
The 1637th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 2004
- Nationality
- British
- Length
- Moderate
- Pages
- 400-500
- Words
- 145,000
- Original Language
- English
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 9 lists:
- 52nd on The 100 best books of the 21st century (The Guardian)
- 61st on 100 Best Books to Read by Women Authors (Good Housekeeping)
- 76th on The 100 Greatest British Novels (BBC)
- 100 Novels That Shaped Our World (BBC)
- Books of the Decade (The Guardian)
- Costa Book Award - Best Novel (Costa Coffee)
- The Big Jubilee Read (BBC)
- This is the Canon: Decolonize Your Bookshelves in 50 Books (This is the Canon(Book))
- Women's Prize for Fiction (Women's Prize for Fiction)