Over a period of time, I´ve read
the both famous and award-winning Small
Island. It has been a quite challenging yet fun read. I´ve gained an
understanding for the topic and learned more about analyzing and different
tools that authors use to create a visual image.
The plot is concerning two small
islands; Jamaica and England. In the story we get to know four main characters named
Queenie, Hortense, Gilbert and Bernard. The plot in the novel changes between
different main characters, so the reader receives an angle on each perspective
and story. Hortense has high standards and refuses to be taken care of by her
husband. She and her husband, Gilbert, have an arranged marriage, to get
Hortense safely from Jamaica to England. In England Hortense is hard to please,
she frowns by the filth and complains a lot. Gilbert is a humoristic man who
likes to view the glass as half full. In England they meet Queenie whom is
their landlady. Queenie has a lot of courage and is married to Bernard who
simply is a banker with no heart whatsoever. All of the characters have
multiple encounters and the story develops form there.
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| Image from the filmated version of Small Island (link) |
I found the book interesting.
Andrea Levy has written a book that contains several different stories that in
the end connect together as one. Personally,
I enjoy such stories. The variety of angles and tools used give the book a
modern touch while it’s a story concerning the old times post war. It has been
quite challenging, however fun, and the author makes sure to challenge the
reader in different ways and tries to highlight different points of views on
the plot. Besides, from switching between
points of view, the book also takes place in different years such as “before”
and “after”, which creates a bigger story and covers more of the person’s
lives. A lot of different techniques have been used in this book and a lot of
language tools, and it all comes together as one colorful read. The author uses
tools like slang, metaphors and something to emphasize the contrast between the
societies. The title of this book is a metaphor itself, so it gives you an idea
of what to expect from this book. I enjoyed the read and the movie, even though
this is a genre I never tend to reach for. It had a unique way to catch the
reader’s attention – and keep it!
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| Image link |
On the other hand, I found this
book a bit difficult and this is caused by language. The author has
characterized the people with Jamaican English, which makes it hard to
understand for me as reader. It shows how the people speak and gives reader an
image on how other people understand and react to them. The change between main
persons can be confusing if you don´t pay attention, but if you read closely
you will find the swap amusing, like I did.
Reading this book makes you aware
of how things were before. The racism, the bad times after the war, the poverty
and so on. This is exactly what the author, who´s Jamaican herself, tries to
convey through her book. There are many cases in the book where people are
being discriminated and mocked because of their heritage. Small Island gave me an understanding and respect for the people
who went through or who are going through this.
- Eivor
