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A review by abbie_
Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell
3.0
This time I was off to Belize with Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell!
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It’s a fairly simple story about a young girl, Beka Lamb funnily enough, growing up in Belize under British colonialism who is quite fond of twisting the truth. The book sets Belize in the context of its struggle for independence alongside racial and social issues, but for me the most compelling aspect was the friendship between Beka and Toycie. They’re in the same year at school despite their 3 year age difference, but Toycie’s chance at an education is cruelly snatched away when she’s expelled due to the covent school’s disapproval of her pregnancy. The subsequent treatment of Toycie in society was also wonderfully written but upsetting, highlighting the double standards between men and women.
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I thought Edgell did a fantastic job with some of the characters, such as Beka’s grandmother, who is a fierce supporter of the People’s Independence Party, and Miss Eila, Toycie’s aunt who struggles against poverty to give Toycie the best care she can. However, not all the characters felt as fleshed out, and even Beka felt a bit 2D at times which was disappointing.
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I’m not actually sure whether this book is targeted at a younger audience or not, but I thought it felt that way - it would make an excellent GCSE text I feel, as you really get a feel for the melting pot that is Belize society and the social interactions and prejudices that play a part there, not to mention gender roles and the role of the church.
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Overall, an informative and interesting read if a little dry at times, but as one of the first books by a Belizean author to be recognised internationally, an important one.
.
It’s a fairly simple story about a young girl, Beka Lamb funnily enough, growing up in Belize under British colonialism who is quite fond of twisting the truth. The book sets Belize in the context of its struggle for independence alongside racial and social issues, but for me the most compelling aspect was the friendship between Beka and Toycie. They’re in the same year at school despite their 3 year age difference, but Toycie’s chance at an education is cruelly snatched away when she’s expelled due to the covent school’s disapproval of her pregnancy. The subsequent treatment of Toycie in society was also wonderfully written but upsetting, highlighting the double standards between men and women.
.
I thought Edgell did a fantastic job with some of the characters, such as Beka’s grandmother, who is a fierce supporter of the People’s Independence Party, and Miss Eila, Toycie’s aunt who struggles against poverty to give Toycie the best care she can. However, not all the characters felt as fleshed out, and even Beka felt a bit 2D at times which was disappointing.
.
I’m not actually sure whether this book is targeted at a younger audience or not, but I thought it felt that way - it would make an excellent GCSE text I feel, as you really get a feel for the melting pot that is Belize society and the social interactions and prejudices that play a part there, not to mention gender roles and the role of the church.
.
Overall, an informative and interesting read if a little dry at times, but as one of the first books by a Belizean author to be recognised internationally, an important one.