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A review by sunflower_bbgrl
Augustown by Kei Miller
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I want to start by saying that this book had one of my favourite ever openings, capturing such a gorgeous depiction of a small fictional town in Jamaica.
Augustown took me a little while to read as partway through I could feel myself becoming disenchanted by the plot. By the time I got half way through, I became fully immersed and engaged again. So much so it made me doubt my earlier feelings. Kei Miller tells a history of Jamaican politics over the course of one day. Spanning tales around myth, religion, class divides, and the subjugation of Rastafari. It’s a creative literary venture that showcases how one day encompasses all of history.
Pros:
• creative storytelling that plays with concept of time and memory
• centres rastafari in Jamaica
• portrays the underbelly of Jamaican society
Cons:
• not the best writing of Black woman characters
• a bit boring in some parts with long drawn out scenes
Augustown took me a little while to read as partway through I could feel myself becoming disenchanted by the plot. By the time I got half way through, I became fully immersed and engaged again. So much so it made me doubt my earlier feelings. Kei Miller tells a history of Jamaican politics over the course of one day. Spanning tales around myth, religion, class divides, and the subjugation of Rastafari. It’s a creative literary venture that showcases how one day encompasses all of history.
Pros:
• creative storytelling that plays with concept of time and memory
• centres rastafari in Jamaica
• portrays the underbelly of Jamaican society
Cons:
• not the best writing of Black woman characters
• a bit boring in some parts with long drawn out scenes