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bookdragon217's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
"There is an unspoken understanding of loss here in Jamaica, where everything comes with a rude bargain—that being citizens of a 'developing nation', we are born already expecting to live a secondhand life, and to enjoy it. But there is hope, too, in our scarcity, tolerable because it keeps us constantly reaching for something better."
There are not enough words to describe the beauty that is found within the pages of How To Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair. She cracks herself open to show us the deep roots of her family trauma but still manages to hold the ones she loves tenderly with her poetic prose. Her words are captivating & in true poet form, she delivers magical sentences that dance off the page & stick with you. She interrogates the misogyny of the Rastafarian lifestyle her father subjected their family to while at the same time connecting it to the history of colonialism in Jamaica. She calls out the mental abuse she was subjected to but also gives greater context & explanation about how her father could also be viewed as vulnerable to a corrupt system that is fueled by patriarchy.
What struck me deeply was how Sinclair explores such deep themes through a child's perspective. She places us in her stream of conscience and allows us to see her observations and how she comes to make sense of her world in order to save herself. You see Sinclair develop an astute emotional intelligence that allowed her to survive her circumstances on a daily basis. Sinclair's mother offers poetry & literature as a form of liberation & this was so beautiful to see, especially since her own choices were limited by her own father. The books she read opened doors to understanding the world & provided the keys to free herself from her circumstances. This act of love from her mother is what ultimately helps her find her voice in the midst of chaos.
I can still feel the power of Sinclair's narrative voice. This memoir is not only a testimony but an indictment on the systems of oppression that enforce & perpetuate patriarchy. It also serves a reminder that the consequences of colonialism are still being felt today. Sinclair is an author to watch in the future.
There are not enough words to describe the beauty that is found within the pages of How To Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair. She cracks herself open to show us the deep roots of her family trauma but still manages to hold the ones she loves tenderly with her poetic prose. Her words are captivating & in true poet form, she delivers magical sentences that dance off the page & stick with you. She interrogates the misogyny of the Rastafarian lifestyle her father subjected their family to while at the same time connecting it to the history of colonialism in Jamaica. She calls out the mental abuse she was subjected to but also gives greater context & explanation about how her father could also be viewed as vulnerable to a corrupt system that is fueled by patriarchy.
What struck me deeply was how Sinclair explores such deep themes through a child's perspective. She places us in her stream of conscience and allows us to see her observations and how she comes to make sense of her world in order to save herself. You see Sinclair develop an astute emotional intelligence that allowed her to survive her circumstances on a daily basis. Sinclair's mother offers poetry & literature as a form of liberation & this was so beautiful to see, especially since her own choices were limited by her own father. The books she read opened doors to understanding the world & provided the keys to free herself from her circumstances. This act of love from her mother is what ultimately helps her find her voice in the midst of chaos.
I can still feel the power of Sinclair's narrative voice. This memoir is not only a testimony but an indictment on the systems of oppression that enforce & perpetuate patriarchy. It also serves a reminder that the consequences of colonialism are still being felt today. Sinclair is an author to watch in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Body shaming, Cancer, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Colonisation, Classism, Infertility, and Pedophilia
atreegrowsinbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I’ve finished this memoir and can hardly form a coherent sentence. I am, simply in awe of Safiya Sinclair.
HOW TO SAY BABYLON is a magnificent piece of literature. I’ll shout it from the rooftops “READ THIS MEMOIR!” What an incredible memoir showing the resilience and strength of one phenomenal human, Safiya Sinclair.
In this memoir we follow Safiya Sinclair’s childhood through adulthood living under an incredibly strict Rastafari household in Jamaica.
There was so much heaviness that occurs during Safiya’s life, that I was constantly blown away by her strength. I urge you all to read this! There are some difficult topics mentioned so go in with that understanding.
With that said, this memoir is incredibly written. Safiya Sinclair has an amazing way with words! Please read this memoir, you’ll be changed by it!
Thanks to the publisher @simonbooks for sending me a copy #SimonBooksBuddy, this memoir comes out tomorrow 10/03/2023!
HOW TO SAY BABYLON is a magnificent piece of literature. I’ll shout it from the rooftops “READ THIS MEMOIR!” What an incredible memoir showing the resilience and strength of one phenomenal human, Safiya Sinclair.
In this memoir we follow Safiya Sinclair’s childhood through adulthood living under an incredibly strict Rastafari household in Jamaica.
There was so much heaviness that occurs during Safiya’s life, that I was constantly blown away by her strength. I urge you all to read this! There are some difficult topics mentioned so go in with that understanding.
With that said, this memoir is incredibly written. Safiya Sinclair has an amazing way with words! Please read this memoir, you’ll be changed by it!
Thanks to the publisher @simonbooks for sending me a copy #SimonBooksBuddy, this memoir comes out tomorrow 10/03/2023!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, and Drug use
katiewhocanread's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Self harm, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racial slurs
rootedreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. It tells of Safiya's upbringing in Jamaica living in a strict Rastafarian household. She shares her story of breaking away from this and finding herself and her voice through writing. This was an enjoyable read. I love reading memoirs and this one in particular as she shares her experience as well as that of Jamaica's history of colonialism and its impact on the people. Beautifully written this one will stay with me for a while.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Child abuse, Bullying, Colonisation, Racism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment and Suicidal thoughts
megansoetaert's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
How to Say Babylon is a beautiful poet’s memoir about girlhood/womanhood, parental relationships, and finding yourself growing up in Jamaica and in a strict Rastafari family.
You can tell how much reflection Sinclair has done on her life—and how much she has worked through to be able to write this memoir. Her writing is lyrical and beautiful even when discussing topics like abuse and fear. I also really appreciated how she wove in the history and (varied) customs of Rastafari and Jamaica as a whole.
So glad the world gets to bask in her work—going straight to the library to check out her poetry collection!!
Thank you to Safiya Sinclair, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the eARC. make sure to read this memoir when it comes out on August 29, 2023!!
You can tell how much reflection Sinclair has done on her life—and how much she has worked through to be able to write this memoir. Her writing is lyrical and beautiful even when discussing topics like abuse and fear. I also really appreciated how she wove in the history and (varied) customs of Rastafari and Jamaica as a whole.
So glad the world gets to bask in her work—going straight to the library to check out her poetry collection!!
Thank you to Safiya Sinclair, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the eARC. make sure to read this memoir when it comes out on August 29, 2023!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism
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