A review by katie_greenwinginmymouth
Augustown by Kei Miller

dark emotional funny hopeful informative sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow this book! It is utterly brilliant. Miller is phenomenally good at carefully unravelling these intertwined stories, the narrative looks forward and back drawing links between the 1880s, 1920s and 1980s and showing the inescapable repercussions of colonialism that continue to dictate the outcomes and opportunities for everyone in Jamaica. The narrative intertwining and the sense of how many of the characters’ fates are foretold in some way reinforces this feeling of inevitability in how systemic racism and colourism restricts the options open for Black Jamaicans. The book also exposes the prejudice that exists towards the Rasta community.

Miller writes so beautifully and there were numerous paragraphs I just wanted to read and reread. His language is lyrical, fluid and immediate and I had no trouble picturing Augustown and the characters, he brings them to life so effectively. I can definitely see me getting a lot of pleasure out of re-reading this and I’m going to immediately search out some of his poetry too. Highly recommend this book.