Reviews

The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon

aiyshaakram's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

zoexash_'s review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.25

jackstewart_1's review against another edition

3.0

2.5

jess_louise_'s review

challenging funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

hayleighreid's review against another edition

4.5

A very eyeopening insight into immigration. It had a very witty and unique narrative voice. The characters felt like very real, deep and complex people. Read in one sitting!

p_the_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lydiacherith's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

seymone's review against another edition

3.0

I rate this book a 2.5.

Why did I pick it up?

I picked up this book due to recommendation from a podcast that I follow. I went into this book blindly. Yet, I am still disappointed. Its hard to put into words but I felt unfulfilled. However, the patois in the book created a sort of nostalgia for me.

Describe the book in 5 words

Nostalgic, Funny, Honest, and I am short two words. No judgments

Who would LOVE The Lonely Londoners

Anyone who wants to get a glimpse of Caribbean immigrants in foreign (little patois there). Seriously, the theme of this book gives a glimpse of the universal experience of the Caribbean immigrant. It doesn't matter the destination of said immigrant, the experience is very similar.

Are there illustrations?

None.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I enjoyed this book. There is one huge caveat. There is only ten periods over the course of 160 something pages. I am exaggerating, but seriously I read ten pages and only saw two periods. This could be a literary device, I don't know.

What I enjoyed about this book is being able to relate to the characters and their experiences. When you go foreign, your family in your home country tends to think that you hit it big. Its always, send me money or send for me to come to the new country. This book was set in London, but you could easily interchange any country and I feel like the experience would be the same. My family immigrated to US from Trinidad and the experience is the same.

I would recommend this book. However, the patois may be a challenge for some.

annasch's review

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

foraging_pages's review

Read for my Caribbean Literature class.

Selvon is a beautiful writer. Seeing 1950s London through the eyes of Caribbean immigrants was wonderful.