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The Day I Fell Off My Island
The Day I Fell Off My Island tells the story of Erna Mullings, a teenage Jamaican girl uprooted from her island following the sudden death of her beloved grandmother. When Erna is sent to England to be reunited with her siblings, she dreads leaving behind her elderly grandfather, and the only life she has ever known. A new future unfolds, in a strange country and with a mother she barely knows. The next decade will be a complex journey of estrangement and arrival, new beginnings, and the uncovering of long-buried secrets.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 27, 2021
Like you fell off your island and there was no one there to catch you…
Yvonne Bailey-Smith debut novel follows the life of Erna Mullings from her life growing up on Jamaica and leaving to go England to live with her mother. Erna Mullings spends majority of her life growing up in rural Jamaica with her grandmother, grandfather and her four siblings. Her mother decided to leave her children back in Jamaica so she could go make a better life for them in England and then send for them… I know, you’ve read this story before, right? (Spoiler alert: you haven’t!)
Being the eldest means Erna basically helps her Grandmother and Grandfather in raising her siblings. She’s got to focus on school and being a part time mother to her siblings. One day her siblings are suddenly taken away by their father and Erna is left with her grandparents who are getting older and slower with each year. Erna does not have a relationship with her mother or her father but after the sudden death of her grandmother she is sent to England to be reunited with her siblings and her mother. Nothing could prepare Erna for being in a new country, being around a mother who never showed her warmth and reunited with her siblings who don’t really remembers her. Erna must now take the mother role again… but how will that change with her being in England?
First let me say, this is a very engaging read once you get pass the first 3 chapters. I felt the opening wasn’t as strong as it could but it really picked up. With that said, I also feel like the book could have been 50-70 pages shorter. At some points the book felt overly written and I found myself going… MOVE IT ALONG!!!! Outside of that, Erna is a character you cheer for from beginning to end. You want her to win!
I felt the author did such a beautiful job of capturing Granddaughter and Grandmother relationships and she truly made me miss my Granny. I felt she had a strong grasp of the Grandmother and Erna as a character and she executed flawlessly. This book is for anyone who maintains a great relationship with her Grandmother and love seeing it on the pages.
This is a coming of age, we meet Erna from she is nine or then and the story goes into her late twenties. So much happens within that time, her grandmother dies, she leaves the only home she’s ever known, she lives with a mother she’s got no connection to, and she finds out her father raped her mother and that’s how she was born. Yes! So much trauma is there… so much!
One of my biggest peeves was how the mother’s rape was glossed over. It actually infuriated me. I also felt the author didn’t explore with any tenderness or nuance what is like for Erna to find out about the rape and then meet her father who have about 30 children… I mean… what?
I know it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book… I did. I also will read what the author writes next. I just wish she had a stronger editor who would have pinpoint areas that needed to be explored more or maybe even left out…
Overall a very solid debut novel, yes, its got a lot of issues but I know I will not forget Erna for now.
Yvonne Bailey-Smith debut novel follows the life of Erna Mullings from her life growing up on Jamaica and leaving to go England to live with her mother. Erna Mullings spends majority of her life growing up in rural Jamaica with her grandmother, grandfather and her four siblings. Her mother decided to leave her children back in Jamaica so she could go make a better life for them in England and then send for them… I know, you’ve read this story before, right? (Spoiler alert: you haven’t!)
Being the eldest means Erna basically helps her Grandmother and Grandfather in raising her siblings. She’s got to focus on school and being a part time mother to her siblings. One day her siblings are suddenly taken away by their father and Erna is left with her grandparents who are getting older and slower with each year. Erna does not have a relationship with her mother or her father but after the sudden death of her grandmother she is sent to England to be reunited with her siblings and her mother. Nothing could prepare Erna for being in a new country, being around a mother who never showed her warmth and reunited with her siblings who don’t really remembers her. Erna must now take the mother role again… but how will that change with her being in England?
First let me say, this is a very engaging read once you get pass the first 3 chapters. I felt the opening wasn’t as strong as it could but it really picked up. With that said, I also feel like the book could have been 50-70 pages shorter. At some points the book felt overly written and I found myself going… MOVE IT ALONG!!!! Outside of that, Erna is a character you cheer for from beginning to end. You want her to win!
I felt the author did such a beautiful job of capturing Granddaughter and Grandmother relationships and she truly made me miss my Granny. I felt she had a strong grasp of the Grandmother and Erna as a character and she executed flawlessly. This book is for anyone who maintains a great relationship with her Grandmother and love seeing it on the pages.
This is a coming of age, we meet Erna from she is nine or then and the story goes into her late twenties. So much happens within that time, her grandmother dies, she leaves the only home she’s ever known, she lives with a mother she’s got no connection to, and she finds out her father raped her mother and that’s how she was born. Yes! So much trauma is there… so much!
One of my biggest peeves was how the mother’s rape was glossed over. It actually infuriated me. I also felt the author didn’t explore with any tenderness or nuance what is like for Erna to find out about the rape and then meet her father who have about 30 children… I mean… what?
I know it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book… I did. I also will read what the author writes next. I just wish she had a stronger editor who would have pinpoint areas that needed to be explored more or maybe even left out…
Overall a very solid debut novel, yes, its got a lot of issues but I know I will not forget Erna for now.
August 25, 2023
“'As an immigrant child, I often wished that someone had been able to take me aside and explain to me that leaving everything I knew to go on a so-called adventure to somewhere way beyond my imagination was going cause me an unimaginable sense of loss and sadness. I also wish that the same person had been there to reassure me that I would survive and even flourish, given half a chance…” - Yvonne Bailey-Smith
*This is the story of Erna. A girl born in 1960s Jamaica. Life isn’t perfect, but she has amazing grandparents and her beautiful island. We follow Erna as she gets older and through life events as she finds herself as an immigrant in England with a nuclear family she barely knows.
*I loved reading this book. In the first part of the book you, as the reader, will fully feel like you’re on the island of Jamaica from the descriptions. Even more enriched by my favorite aspect of this story ,the Jamaican Patois being spoken that absolutely brought this story to life. That warmth of the island provides a stark contrast to the second part of the story as Erna goes to England in the winter and you feel the cold, wet, grey comparison. There is no shortage in tough topics tackled in this novel, but done with so much grace and felt like it was done with purpose to tell Erna’s full story and not just for the shock factor.
*Highly recommend!! And big ups to my Jamaican girls for introducing me to this author🩷
*This is the story of Erna. A girl born in 1960s Jamaica. Life isn’t perfect, but she has amazing grandparents and her beautiful island. We follow Erna as she gets older and through life events as she finds herself as an immigrant in England with a nuclear family she barely knows.
*I loved reading this book. In the first part of the book you, as the reader, will fully feel like you’re on the island of Jamaica from the descriptions. Even more enriched by my favorite aspect of this story ,the Jamaican Patois being spoken that absolutely brought this story to life. That warmth of the island provides a stark contrast to the second part of the story as Erna goes to England in the winter and you feel the cold, wet, grey comparison. There is no shortage in tough topics tackled in this novel, but done with so much grace and felt like it was done with purpose to tell Erna’s full story and not just for the shock factor.
*Highly recommend!! And big ups to my Jamaican girls for introducing me to this author🩷
March 21, 2023
I love a #ReadCaribbean title, and although this book was very trigger heavy (do your Googles), I found it to be a very entertaining read.
Erna Mullings is the eldest of her mother's children, a mother that she & her siblings do not know. Looked after by her grandmother Melba & Grandfather Tippa, Erna is a well loved child in her grandparents home, along with her younger siblings. That is until her siblings father arrives & takes (well rather he kidnaps them) them to live in UK. Life changes for Erna after this, faced with the loss of her sibling, followed insurmountable measure of grief followimg sudden death of her Grandmother, Erna eventually makes the journey to the UK to live with her mother, siblings, and the "Ugly Satan Devil Man" (what a way the man wicked!!!!!!) - her step-father.
This is not the easiest book to read as aforementioned due to the triggers, but what I love about Caribbean titles especially Jamaican titles, is how familiar the characters feel, most notably the elders. Erna's relationship with her grandmother made me smile so much, and this was complimented beautifully by the love and admiration Erna held for her grandfather.
Erna's coming of age story is a compelling one. Dealing with the complexities of Erna's conception, a toxic relationship with her mother, plagued by mental health, and the mystery surrounding her conception (I don't want to ruin the plot for you all).
This is definitely a book I would love to re-read. If you are looking for a title to add to your #ReadCaribbean stack then this should most definitely be a candidate!
Lovers of the girl with the louding voice will DEFINITELY appreciate this story.
I hope to hear more from this author in the future!
4.5⭐️
Erna Mullings is the eldest of her mother's children, a mother that she & her siblings do not know. Looked after by her grandmother Melba & Grandfather Tippa, Erna is a well loved child in her grandparents home, along with her younger siblings. That is until her siblings father arrives & takes (well rather he kidnaps them) them to live in UK. Life changes for Erna after this, faced with the loss of her sibling, followed insurmountable measure of grief followimg sudden death of her Grandmother, Erna eventually makes the journey to the UK to live with her mother, siblings, and the "Ugly Satan Devil Man" (what a way the man wicked!!!!!!) - her step-father.
This is not the easiest book to read as aforementioned due to the triggers, but what I love about Caribbean titles especially Jamaican titles, is how familiar the characters feel, most notably the elders. Erna's relationship with her grandmother made me smile so much, and this was complimented beautifully by the love and admiration Erna held for her grandfather.
Erna's coming of age story is a compelling one. Dealing with the complexities of Erna's conception, a toxic relationship with her mother, plagued by mental health, and the mystery surrounding her conception (I don't want to ruin the plot for you all).
This is definitely a book I would love to re-read. If you are looking for a title to add to your #ReadCaribbean stack then this should most definitely be a candidate!
Lovers of the girl with the louding voice will DEFINITELY appreciate this story.
I hope to hear more from this author in the future!
4.5⭐️
July 13, 2022
This is such an underrated gem of a book that focuses on self discovery. It’s culturally rich with lovable characters, like Erna, Grandma Melba and Grandpa Sippa.
This story was so well told it felt real as Erna faced challenges within her family, as well as in her new surroundings.
This story was so well told it felt real as Erna faced challenges within her family, as well as in her new surroundings.
March 25, 2021
Wow! What a terrific coming of age story. A novel that will enlighten everyone about the experience of migration, family, rape, racism, mental health and suicide. Preorder JUNE 10TH, 2021
June 24, 2021
From the minute I read the synopsis of this novel I knew I was going to fall unapologetically in love with this book and I wasn't wrong, I remember messaging the publisher after I had read 35 pages telling them I was obsessed with The Day I Fell Off My Island and that love grew deeper the more I read. Also can we just take a moment to recognise that the author is Zadie Smith's Mother! Mind blown!
Okay okay let's actually write a review rather than just incoherently gush about this book!
This stunning novel tells the story of a Jamaican girl Erna Mulling who lives with her Grandparents and has a wonderful life, with her siblings. Of course nothing is perfect and Erna has a lot of feelings about her biological mother and father and like most young people is curious, but overall she has a wonderful childhood with her siblings on her beautiful island. When her beloved Grandmother dies suddenly Erna's life is about to change beyond recognition, moved unwillingly to England with her Estranged mother, In a country that is completely foreign to her, Erna is about to undertake the most complex journey of her life both physically and emotionally. From a country where people look like her and talk like her to a country where her blackness is noticed and racism is rife, how will she deal with everything she knows being taken away.
Yvonne- Bailey Smith brings Jamaica to life in The Day I fell Off My Island. The sense of place and her descriptive writing is simply exquisite. I was transported to this Island and I met the most wonderful, enchanting characters that felt immediately like family.
Erna especially Stole my heart from the very first page. Her maturity yet vulnerabilities made her such an easy character to root for.
The topics this book explores is plentiful from racism to suicide and is often heartbreaking, the thought and care that the author has taken in writing these make it clear how much passion and love went into this book.
I still think about these characters and not just Erna's story but the secondary characters too on a daily basis and hope this beautiful book gets the readership is so rightly deserves.
Being completely honest my words could never do this book justice, in my humble opinion it is a masterpiece and will be in my top books of the year for sure.
Okay okay let's actually write a review rather than just incoherently gush about this book!
This stunning novel tells the story of a Jamaican girl Erna Mulling who lives with her Grandparents and has a wonderful life, with her siblings. Of course nothing is perfect and Erna has a lot of feelings about her biological mother and father and like most young people is curious, but overall she has a wonderful childhood with her siblings on her beautiful island. When her beloved Grandmother dies suddenly Erna's life is about to change beyond recognition, moved unwillingly to England with her Estranged mother, In a country that is completely foreign to her, Erna is about to undertake the most complex journey of her life both physically and emotionally. From a country where people look like her and talk like her to a country where her blackness is noticed and racism is rife, how will she deal with everything she knows being taken away.
Yvonne- Bailey Smith brings Jamaica to life in The Day I fell Off My Island. The sense of place and her descriptive writing is simply exquisite. I was transported to this Island and I met the most wonderful, enchanting characters that felt immediately like family.
Erna especially Stole my heart from the very first page. Her maturity yet vulnerabilities made her such an easy character to root for.
The topics this book explores is plentiful from racism to suicide and is often heartbreaking, the thought and care that the author has taken in writing these make it clear how much passion and love went into this book.
I still think about these characters and not just Erna's story but the secondary characters too on a daily basis and hope this beautiful book gets the readership is so rightly deserves.
Being completely honest my words could never do this book justice, in my humble opinion it is a masterpiece and will be in my top books of the year for sure.
September 26, 2021
"Like you fell off your island and there was no one there to catch you."
Reading this makes you yearn for home and all it's familiar inhabitants. I hear many of the sentiments echoed by Erna through my friends and family who migrate. How they miss the warmth and sun (even if they used to complain bitterly about it), the food, people who looked like them, mangoes and so much more. The book is informed by the author's own story as she migrated to England in the 60s .
The story follows a Jamaican girl Erna Mullings who was raised by her grandparents. Her humble life was a happy one with her grandparents and 3 other siblings. While she had a happy childhood, she was naturally curious about her biological Mom and Dad, having never met them. Her world is uprooted when her siblings are taken away, her grandmother dies and unwillingly migrating to England with a mother she barely knows.
The book explores many themes such as childhood traumas, rape, racism, mental illness, familial secrets, loss, educational awakening and more. You find yourself rooting for Erna but also the secondary characters. The author took the time to fully develop the characters around Erna and you also invest in their journey. The author perfectly captured a Jamaican child's relationship with their grandparents - a grandmother who serves as a second, fiercely protective and loving mother and a grandfather who seemed like the grandest man ever.
The story was further enriched by the warm but honest descriptive of Jamaica and weaving Patois all throughout. This I enjoyed and it kinda biased me to liking the book even more.
My biggest issue with the novel is the narrative voice that sometimes sounded like the author's voice. Some of the musings felt out of depth for Erna as a young girl. Also the seemingly casual disregard for many traumas but perhaps this was a criticism of the times they lived in.
Overall I enjoyed the book, it's pace, the characters, the depiction of Erna and Jennifer's friendship, the pursuit of education and Erna's determination.
This was said by the author, “As an immigrant child, I often wished that someone had been able to take me aside and explain to me that leaving everything I knew to go on a so-called adventure to somewhere way beyond my imagination was going cause me an unimaginable sense of loss and sadness. "
Reading this makes you yearn for home and all it's familiar inhabitants. I hear many of the sentiments echoed by Erna through my friends and family who migrate. How they miss the warmth and sun (even if they used to complain bitterly about it), the food, people who looked like them, mangoes and so much more. The book is informed by the author's own story as she migrated to England in the 60s .
The story follows a Jamaican girl Erna Mullings who was raised by her grandparents. Her humble life was a happy one with her grandparents and 3 other siblings. While she had a happy childhood, she was naturally curious about her biological Mom and Dad, having never met them. Her world is uprooted when her siblings are taken away, her grandmother dies and unwillingly migrating to England with a mother she barely knows.
The book explores many themes such as childhood traumas, rape, racism, mental illness, familial secrets, loss, educational awakening and more. You find yourself rooting for Erna but also the secondary characters. The author took the time to fully develop the characters around Erna and you also invest in their journey. The author perfectly captured a Jamaican child's relationship with their grandparents - a grandmother who serves as a second, fiercely protective and loving mother and a grandfather who seemed like the grandest man ever.
The story was further enriched by the warm but honest descriptive of Jamaica and weaving Patois all throughout. This I enjoyed and it kinda biased me to liking the book even more.
My biggest issue with the novel is the narrative voice that sometimes sounded like the author's voice. Some of the musings felt out of depth for Erna as a young girl. Also the seemingly casual disregard for many traumas but perhaps this was a criticism of the times they lived in.
Overall I enjoyed the book, it's pace, the characters, the depiction of Erna and Jennifer's friendship, the pursuit of education and Erna's determination.
This was said by the author, “As an immigrant child, I often wished that someone had been able to take me aside and explain to me that leaving everything I knew to go on a so-called adventure to somewhere way beyond my imagination was going cause me an unimaginable sense of loss and sadness. "
September 20, 2023
This was indeed a page turner. Another great Caribbean novel. I love stories about migration since this is very much a part of Caribbean life.
In this novel we meet Erna Mullings a young girl who lives in rural Jamaica with her grandparents. Having no relationship with both her parents, Erna spends her childhood happy in the humble home of her grandparents.
When Erna's grandmother Melba dies, and after her siblings " devil" dad kidnaps them. She is forced to go live with her mom, husband and siblings in England.
Life in England proves hard for Erna as she realises that all is not well with Violet (her mom) and especially her sister Patsy, whose behaviour reveals something sinister.
Erna's determination to improve her situation in spite of everything is what made the book so wonderful for me. Her love for her island home and her grandparents was also very moving.
This story was tragic, yet very beautiful. I highly recommend this one.
In this novel we meet Erna Mullings a young girl who lives in rural Jamaica with her grandparents. Having no relationship with both her parents, Erna spends her childhood happy in the humble home of her grandparents.
When Erna's grandmother Melba dies, and after her siblings " devil" dad kidnaps them. She is forced to go live with her mom, husband and siblings in England.
Life in England proves hard for Erna as she realises that all is not well with Violet (her mom) and especially her sister Patsy, whose behaviour reveals something sinister.
Erna's determination to improve her situation in spite of everything is what made the book so wonderful for me. Her love for her island home and her grandparents was also very moving.
This story was tragic, yet very beautiful. I highly recommend this one.
May 8, 2024
I couldn’t put this book down. A wonderfully rich story about a young girl living a simple but happy life with her grandparents, siblings, and extended family on their island of Jamaica until tragedy strikes. The book follows Erna’s journey through starting a new life with her mentally ill mother and abusive stepfather in England, navigating the complexities of an estranged mother-daughter relationship. It’s a story filled with a lot of tragedy that somehow feels light and hopeful, which I attribute to the flowery language that described the joys of living on the island. I’m a huge fan of the fact that most of the dialogue is written in Patois. More of this!
April 15, 2022
I liked this, but the language read more like an autobiography at times. Still interesting.
October 7, 2023
It’s a story about a teenage Jamaican girl having to leave the island to go England upon the death of her beloved grandmother. The story takes you through her journey living in a strange country having to face family estrangement and buried secrets coming to light and how she dealt with them. A great read!
November 1, 2025
This book was absolutely brilliant. As a child of immigrants, this novel definitely resonated with me. Although, I think Erna’s story could impact anyone.
The book starts with Erna and her three siblings living with her grandparents in Jamaica circa mid 1960s. Erna’s mother, Violet, was a part of the Windrush generation that moved to the UK to see a better life for herself. Through time, you get to read about the beautiful bond Erna developed with her Grandma Melba and Grandpa Sippa. The author does a great job of exposing the reader to life in Jamaica, highlighting the culture and the nuances that come with living in a village community. Although the time period is set in the 1960s, there is a familiarity when reading about Jamaica that mirrors our present day.
Yvonne did a fantastic job with the Jamaican patois and capturing the essence of Jamaican culture and life on the page. So many times, I chuckled to myself reading jokes or sarcastic sayings that people would make in the book. Grandma Melba in particular was a fierce Jamaican who could not be played with. She definitely reminded me of own grandmother!
The novel did a great job of showing the complexities of immigration, family bonds, and generational trauma. The author details how Erna’s mother, Violet, struggled with mental illness in England. Similarly, Erna found difficulty settling into a new country, finding herself, and making a life of her own, while missing her old life in Jamaica. As you read through the book, you discover family secrets that help you understand the actions of Grandma Melba, Erna, and Violet.
Lastly, I will say that this book does not shy away from heavy topics like mental illness, sexual assault, and suicide. With that being said, the author writes about these topics with gentleness and care. You’re able to feel empathy and compassion for the characters in the book, even if you may not particularly like them.
Overall, I give this book 5 stars, especially as I started this book blind and did not know muchg about it. If you come from an immigrant family, especially a Caribbean one, I highly recommend you to read this!
The book starts with Erna and her three siblings living with her grandparents in Jamaica circa mid 1960s. Erna’s mother, Violet, was a part of the Windrush generation that moved to the UK to see a better life for herself. Through time, you get to read about the beautiful bond Erna developed with her Grandma Melba and Grandpa Sippa. The author does a great job of exposing the reader to life in Jamaica, highlighting the culture and the nuances that come with living in a village community. Although the time period is set in the 1960s, there is a familiarity when reading about Jamaica that mirrors our present day.
Yvonne did a fantastic job with the Jamaican patois and capturing the essence of Jamaican culture and life on the page. So many times, I chuckled to myself reading jokes or sarcastic sayings that people would make in the book. Grandma Melba in particular was a fierce Jamaican who could not be played with. She definitely reminded me of own grandmother!
The novel did a great job of showing the complexities of immigration, family bonds, and generational trauma. The author details how Erna’s mother, Violet, struggled with mental illness in England. Similarly, Erna found difficulty settling into a new country, finding herself, and making a life of her own, while missing her old life in Jamaica. As you read through the book, you discover family secrets that help you understand the actions of Grandma Melba, Erna, and Violet.
Lastly, I will say that this book does not shy away from heavy topics like mental illness, sexual assault, and suicide. With that being said, the author writes about these topics with gentleness and care. You’re able to feel empathy and compassion for the characters in the book, even if you may not particularly like them.
Overall, I give this book 5 stars, especially as I started this book blind and did not know muchg about it. If you come from an immigrant family, especially a Caribbean one, I highly recommend you to read this!
October 23, 2021
“The Day I Fell Off My Island” tiene una característica que va resultando constante en las novelas anglo caribeñas: el uso del lenguaje onomatopéyico por parte de sus personajes. Por supuesto, no digo que los diálogos deban estar escritos en “inglés estándar”, pues sería quitarle verosimilitud a la historia, pero si se prioriza la transcripción de la pronunciación por sobre el argot local, los lectores no anglo parlantes se encontrarán con una barrera que puede mermar sus intereses por continuar con la lectura.
Debido a esto, simplemente dejé de leer muchos diálogos porque sabía que, aunque me esforzara, no lo iba a entender. Aún así, detecté algunos puntos que me parecieron interesantes, tales como las reflexiones en torno a lo femenino, la sexualidad y el racismo. Me chocó mucho ver cómo el entorno social de la protagonista, una mujer afro jamaiquina, le “permitía” disponer de su libertad sexual siempre y cuando esta fuera con un hombre afro descendiente. Si ella decidía relacionarse con un hombre blanco, se le quitaba este “privilegio”. También me llamó la atención la forma en la que los personajes hablan sobre la maternidad y la sexualidad adolescente, pues estos tópicos evidenciaron una sociedad extremadamente conversadora, religiosa y, por supuesto, machista. Por otro lado, a lo largo del texto, la protagonista descubre y asume su etiqueta de “mujer negra”, lo cual resulta interesante, pues se pone sobre la mesa la carga racial que implica ser una persona de color. Así, por ejemplo, cuando la protagonista dice que su madre parece una princesa, le aclaran que se trata de una princesa negra. Para quienes tenemos inclinación por los temas como la descolonización y la deconstrucción individual y social, este libro ofrece muchas miradas valiosas.
Lamentablemente, a pesar de todo esto, sentía que algo le faltaba al libro. Quizás era una estructura narrativa más dinámica, que atrapara al lector. Quizás su problema es que le sobraban páginas. No lo sé, pero, aunque llamativo, “The Day I Fell Off My Island” no llega a ser un texto redondo.
Debido a esto, simplemente dejé de leer muchos diálogos porque sabía que, aunque me esforzara, no lo iba a entender. Aún así, detecté algunos puntos que me parecieron interesantes, tales como las reflexiones en torno a lo femenino, la sexualidad y el racismo. Me chocó mucho ver cómo el entorno social de la protagonista, una mujer afro jamaiquina, le “permitía” disponer de su libertad sexual siempre y cuando esta fuera con un hombre afro descendiente. Si ella decidía relacionarse con un hombre blanco, se le quitaba este “privilegio”. También me llamó la atención la forma en la que los personajes hablan sobre la maternidad y la sexualidad adolescente, pues estos tópicos evidenciaron una sociedad extremadamente conversadora, religiosa y, por supuesto, machista. Por otro lado, a lo largo del texto, la protagonista descubre y asume su etiqueta de “mujer negra”, lo cual resulta interesante, pues se pone sobre la mesa la carga racial que implica ser una persona de color. Así, por ejemplo, cuando la protagonista dice que su madre parece una princesa, le aclaran que se trata de una princesa negra. Para quienes tenemos inclinación por los temas como la descolonización y la deconstrucción individual y social, este libro ofrece muchas miradas valiosas.
Lamentablemente, a pesar de todo esto, sentía que algo le faltaba al libro. Quizás era una estructura narrativa más dinámica, que atrapara al lector. Quizás su problema es que le sobraban páginas. No lo sé, pero, aunque llamativo, “The Day I Fell Off My Island” no llega a ser un texto redondo.
October 26, 2021
5 stars!!
Elements I enjoyed:
~I could not get enough of this book. I never wanted to put it down, but I also didn't want the experience of reading it to end.
~The cast of characters was large and so diverse, but everyone was so integral to the plot that it wasn't difficult to keep track of them.
~It was fascinating to think about the transformation that takes place once we recognize the humanity in our parents. Considering that they are most often the first people that we meet and considering how much we depend on them, it's incredible that they have histories, lives, memories, secrets etc. that we have no inkling of.
~Being the daughter of Jamaican parents born on the island in the late 50's, so much of Erna's story felt familiar. I think it's common among 1st generation children to feel an immense sense of familiarity with a place that was technically never home.
~I always think about what courage it takes to leave your country of origin and make a life in a new place. Seeing this through the perspective of a bewildered child made me feel so much admiration for how resilient and aware children are.
Elements I disliked:
~There was absolutely NOTHING I disliked about this book. Of course, there were things I wish that had happened differently for some people, but the writing is incredible.
Elements I enjoyed:
~I could not get enough of this book. I never wanted to put it down, but I also didn't want the experience of reading it to end.
~The cast of characters was large and so diverse, but everyone was so integral to the plot that it wasn't difficult to keep track of them.
~It was fascinating to think about the transformation that takes place once we recognize the humanity in our parents. Considering that they are most often the first people that we meet and considering how much we depend on them, it's incredible that they have histories, lives, memories, secrets etc. that we have no inkling of.
~Being the daughter of Jamaican parents born on the island in the late 50's, so much of Erna's story felt familiar. I think it's common among 1st generation children to feel an immense sense of familiarity with a place that was technically never home.
~I always think about what courage it takes to leave your country of origin and make a life in a new place. Seeing this through the perspective of a bewildered child made me feel so much admiration for how resilient and aware children are.
Elements I disliked:
~There was absolutely NOTHING I disliked about this book. Of course, there were things I wish that had happened differently for some people, but the writing is incredible.
October 27, 2021
I picked this up on a whim since it sounded like an interesting book. A Jamaican girl lives with her grandmother until the latter dies. Erna then leaves her grandfather behind to be reunited with her siblings and other family in England, a whole world away from everything she has ever known. It's difficult--her mother had left to attempt to make a better life for her family and now Erna must adjust to this new life.
And as you can imagine, in some ways it's very traumatic. The story deals with many heavy topics: immigration, separation of families, mental illness, the death of a grandparent, rape, racism and more. But I found the book difficult tor read. Part of it is the writing style and part of it was that Erna just wasn't interesting.
I didn't feel particularly compelled by the story, which was a shame because it sounds like the author seems like an interesting person based on interviews. It also seems like the book is at least partially drawn from some of her experiences (plus the experiences she encountered as a social worker and as a psychotherapist). But it just did not click with me.
But it might for others, based on the rave reviews people have written. And as previously mentioned, this deals with some tough topics so be prepared for some heavy reading. Library borrow is best but perhaps for the right person it might be a good buy.
Library borrow for me.
And as you can imagine, in some ways it's very traumatic. The story deals with many heavy topics: immigration, separation of families, mental illness, the death of a grandparent, rape, racism and more. But I found the book difficult tor read. Part of it is the writing style and part of it was that Erna just wasn't interesting.
I didn't feel particularly compelled by the story, which was a shame because it sounds like the author seems like an interesting person based on interviews. It also seems like the book is at least partially drawn from some of her experiences (plus the experiences she encountered as a social worker and as a psychotherapist). But it just did not click with me.
But it might for others, based on the rave reviews people have written. And as previously mentioned, this deals with some tough topics so be prepared for some heavy reading. Library borrow is best but perhaps for the right person it might be a good buy.
Library borrow for me.
December 12, 2022
There’s a general feeling of earnestness and warmth in THE DAY I FELL OFF MY ISLAND; characteristics that I’d expect nothing less from a novelist who also happens to have mothered three successful writers in her time (one of those being the notable Zadie Smith).
Drawing upon her early experiences in Jamaica and the UK, Yvonne Bailey-Smith has penned this coming-of-age novel about Erna Mullings, the eldest of four half-siblings who were all raised by their maternal grandparents. The first half — set in Jamaica in the late 60s — is rich with vitality, much love and a youthful, carefree essence. The second half follows Erna to the UK where she is placed back into her mother’s care. Adjusting to her new home in an unwelcoming white community and a family who view her predominately as a nuisance made for a much bleaker read.
While I found Erna to be a beautiful character, there were moments where it felt like she was simply an impartial bystander when things — quite awful things — happened to those around her. Her mother’s mental decline, exacerbated severely by her deranged stepfather. Her younger sister’s uncharacteristic changes in behaviour. Trauma, in other words. Traced back to the intimation that sexual assault, especially of young girls, was an acceptable cultural norm around that time*. But these interconnected themes — sexual trauma, domestic violence, mental illness — felt pared back and sidelined, given not much more space than a few passing lines of introspection from Erna.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed reading about the sense of community on the island, the love between Erna and her grandparents, and the friendships that she forged in both countries. It’s a story that felt authentic, scattered with truths from the author’s own history. If only those heavier topics had been developed with more nuance, this would have made for one solid read.
💌 New South Books
*an assumption based on the supporting storylines. Yvonne Bailey-Smith did not leave an Author’s Note here to explain the high incidence of young girls who were impregnated/raped/had countless number of siblings in her novel. However I did find an online report that claimed that “60% of all first births in the region [of Jamaica] occurred among adolescents, and half of these births occurred in children, i.e., girls aged 17 years and below” in surveys conducted as far back as the early 1970s that strongly suggests that unwanted pregnancies were rife at the time.
Find more of my reviews on Instagram: @tackling.my.tbr
Drawing upon her early experiences in Jamaica and the UK, Yvonne Bailey-Smith has penned this coming-of-age novel about Erna Mullings, the eldest of four half-siblings who were all raised by their maternal grandparents. The first half — set in Jamaica in the late 60s — is rich with vitality, much love and a youthful, carefree essence. The second half follows Erna to the UK where she is placed back into her mother’s care. Adjusting to her new home in an unwelcoming white community and a family who view her predominately as a nuisance made for a much bleaker read.
While I found Erna to be a beautiful character, there were moments where it felt like she was simply an impartial bystander when things — quite awful things — happened to those around her. Her mother’s mental decline, exacerbated severely by her deranged stepfather. Her younger sister’s uncharacteristic changes in behaviour. Trauma, in other words. Traced back to the intimation that sexual assault, especially of young girls, was an acceptable cultural norm around that time*. But these interconnected themes — sexual trauma, domestic violence, mental illness — felt pared back and sidelined, given not much more space than a few passing lines of introspection from Erna.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed reading about the sense of community on the island, the love between Erna and her grandparents, and the friendships that she forged in both countries. It’s a story that felt authentic, scattered with truths from the author’s own history. If only those heavier topics had been developed with more nuance, this would have made for one solid read.
💌 New South Books
*an assumption based on the supporting storylines. Yvonne Bailey-Smith did not leave an Author’s Note here to explain the high incidence of young girls who were impregnated/raped/had countless number of siblings in her novel. However I did find an online report that claimed that “60% of all first births in the region [of Jamaica] occurred among adolescents, and half of these births occurred in children, i.e., girls aged 17 years and below” in surveys conducted as far back as the early 1970s that strongly suggests that unwanted pregnancies were rife at the time.
Find more of my reviews on Instagram: @tackling.my.tbr
December 16, 2024
I enjoyed the latter part of this book more than the first two thirds so rounded up to three stars.
I wanted to like the story more than I did, but it all just felt really flat to me. Bailey-Smith, through her protagonist Erna, discusses some huge, traumatic events in the same was that she discusses ordinary happenings. And well, SA is objectively different than going to get stamps at the general store (but not in this book). Similarly, someone's mother self-deleting is objectively different than having to get a new winter coat (but, again, not in this book). The flatness of the book and never-ending trauma dumping made it difficult for me to get into the book and for me to warm up to protagonist/narrator Erna. At the same time, I kept reading because I genuinely did want to see where it all went.
I'm not sure what to make of this book so give it three stars. I am glad that I read it but also glad that I can return it to the library and move on to my next read.
I wanted to like the story more than I did, but it all just felt really flat to me. Bailey-Smith, through her protagonist Erna, discusses some huge, traumatic events in the same was that she discusses ordinary happenings. And well, SA is objectively different than going to get stamps at the general store (but not in this book). Similarly, someone's mother self-deleting is objectively different than having to get a new winter coat (but, again, not in this book). The flatness of the book and never-ending trauma dumping made it difficult for me to get into the book and for me to warm up to protagonist/narrator Erna. At the same time, I kept reading because I genuinely did want to see where it all went.
I'm not sure what to make of this book so give it three stars. I am glad that I read it but also glad that I can return it to the library and move on to my next read.
June 19, 2022
I had NO idea that Zadie Smith’s mother wrote this coming of age immigrant story. How immensely proud she must be of her mother. I don’t know if everyone will appreciate this book the way I did but this book deeply moved me. It made me think of all the experiences of my mother and grandmother who migrated to the states and how hard that must have been , leaving a beautiful island beautiful people and beautiful simplicity to the coldness of a new world. I saw my family in every one of the characters in the book. Smith’s descriptions of simple country life in Jamaica from the smells to the color of the soil transported me back to my own childhood summers there , playing between my grandfather’s mango and ackee trees. There is a lot of heartbreaking parts to this novel , but you walk away giving ALMOST everyone grace , even the main character’s biological father.
October 1, 2023
If you are a Jamaican who has lived in any foreign country, this book is for you. There is a tactfulness and gracefulness in this story that must be highlighted. Additionally, she captured some sentiments that are entirely Jamaican; you’ll know them when you read them! Tons of aha moments, where she puts into words things all newcomers Wonder/feel! If you feel lost or disconnected in a new country, this book is right up your alley. If you’ve lived overseas for too long, and you’re homesick, this book is also for you. If you have complex family relationships, it’s definitely for you! After reading, I also want to give love to the grandparents that raised us. I also want to point out that for most immigrants we often have to reinvent the wheel and make space for ourselves in a landscape that resents or presence. A very wholesome book about life in Jamaica and life in the diaspora.
May 9, 2024
I've been more than a little behind on my book club reading - but I'm looking forward to discussing this with the #RunWrightReadsBookClub. Erna Mullings is very centered in her life growing up with her siblings in the care of her grandparents in a small village in Jamaica. When her stepfather shows up and takes her siblings in the middle of the night, Erna's sense of security is shattered. Later, she is sent to live with her mother, stepfather, and siblings in England and the second half of the book explores her experiences coming of age in a foreign country with a difficult family situation and a lack of supportive relationships within her immediate family. I enjoyed the characters in this novel and the portrayal of the relationship between Erna and her grandparents. I would definitely pick up more by this author.
August 21, 2021
I heard Yvonne being interviewed about this book on the radio, and knew I had to read it.
What a story! Beautifully written, I felt I could picture the village in Jamaica, her family and friends from the descriptive language that engaged me from the start. Then to London, as different as two worlds could be, but the character finds her way of transcending the two.
The story was funny and sad, enquiring, it made me angry, and allowed me to understand how difficult it must be/have been to uproot from one way of life into a totally different world.
It’s books like these that cause me to think about them between reading sessions, that give me insight into others journeys through life, and I’m so very grateful for them.
I enjoyed this book very much, and have recommended it to many.
What a story! Beautifully written, I felt I could picture the village in Jamaica, her family and friends from the descriptive language that engaged me from the start. Then to London, as different as two worlds could be, but the character finds her way of transcending the two.
The story was funny and sad, enquiring, it made me angry, and allowed me to understand how difficult it must be/have been to uproot from one way of life into a totally different world.
It’s books like these that cause me to think about them between reading sessions, that give me insight into others journeys through life, and I’m so very grateful for them.
I enjoyed this book very much, and have recommended it to many.
April 23, 2023
Enhanced by the inclusion of an abundance of Jamaican patois vernacular, the reader gets an inside look into the ambiance of growing up in a rural Caribbean village where every other person is a member of one’s extended family in Part 1. Erna Mullings, raised by her beloved grandparents, is suddenly summoned by her mentally ill mother and her stepfather who she calls “the ugly Satan devil man” to England in Part 2. In Part 3, this well told story illuminates the true meaning of what we decide to call home and why. The reader shares her sense of resilience and hope as Erna returns to Jamaica and reexamines the role of her childhood family and friends as well as that of her absent biological father before she inevitably moves on.
November 6, 2023
This was a quick read but I wasn't quite a fan of the writing. Bailey-Smith did a great job showcasing the versatility of language as we meet Erna and her grandparents that live in the country, vs. her mom who moves to England vs. other characters she meets. But, as a Jamaica, I felt the dialogue lacked a level of depth where the patois was inserted "just because" and didn't really advance the conversations. I found it a little boring to read, but imagine others not used to seeing patois dialogue might have found it quite innovative.
I also didn't relate to the coming of age story for Erna and her family. There seems to be gaps in why they make certain decisions and how this advances the plot. I was excited to read this novel, but left a little disappointed that I didn't love it more.
I also didn't relate to the coming of age story for Erna and her family. There seems to be gaps in why they make certain decisions and how this advances the plot. I was excited to read this novel, but left a little disappointed that I didn't love it more.
July 18, 2024
This was a lovely story of a girl experiencing the hardships of country life vs city living as she grew up with her grandparents, siblings, and extended family in rural Jamaica. After a series of hardships on the island, Erna is whisked away to England to reunite with her mother, step-father, and her siblings who were collected a few years prior. Erna endures new realities of living in a multi-cultural society that is not yet fully accepting of her culture and skin tone. She battles a dysfunctional nuclear family riddled with mental illness and abuse to those around her whilst trying to pave a life for herself and her future as an academic.
Overall a lovely and eye-opening read! The beginning was a bit slow to start but really set the tone well for Erna’s love for her island and family.
Overall a lovely and eye-opening read! The beginning was a bit slow to start but really set the tone well for Erna’s love for her island and family.
October 10, 2021
I absolutely enjoyed it, I loved how much I cling to Erna and I felt her pain with the loss of Melba (grandmother) and I understood why she had to go back to Sippa before he passed and I just felt like it was so ironic that again she was at her father’s house when her grandfather was about to transition.
The sun-stories of Violet, Patsy and Delphine broke my heart so much and it’s always so interesting to me how mental health was dealt with in the earlier years vs. now (not much has changed tbh) we still don’t take it as seriously as we should.
Overall: A solid read and I enjoyed every bit of it.
The sun-stories of Violet, Patsy and Delphine broke my heart so much and it’s always so interesting to me how mental health was dealt with in the earlier years vs. now (not much has changed tbh) we still don’t take it as seriously as we should.
Overall: A solid read and I enjoyed every bit of it.
June 17, 2022
This is the first book in a long time in which I cried. I could so relate to Erna and the relationship with her grandparents. I cried when grandma Melba passed and left young Erna motherless. I bawled when grandpa Sippy took her to the airport knowing he was sending his granddaughter to a place because he could no longer take care of her himself - that’s love. I cried when she finally went back to see him and he passed because he was waiting on her and he finally got to see her one last time. I was gutted. They got to say goodbye, I could so relate except I didn’t get to say bye. Such a great story and shows the love of grandparents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
The storyline revolves around Erna, a young girl who lives with her kind and loving grandparents in Jamaica.She reluctantly emigrates to London to live with an uncaring mother and a violent step father. She also has to deal with racism, an alien culture, and fending for herself.
It is only her resilience that helps her cope with family tensions and the difficulty of transitioning from a carefree life in Jamaica to a tough life in England.
I enjoyed the book. However, my one gripe with the book is that the rape was simply glossed over(I do not want to say more for those who have not read the book).
It is only her resilience that helps her cope with family tensions and the difficulty of transitioning from a carefree life in Jamaica to a tough life in England.
I enjoyed the book. However, my one gripe with the book is that the rape was simply glossed over(I do not want to say more for those who have not read the book).
October 2, 2025
This book started off a little slow for me, but once I eased into the story, I found it so worth it. It follows Erna, a young Jamaican girl whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her grandmother and a move to England to live with her mother.
The writing is delicate yet powerful, touching on heavy themes like grief, family, migration, misogyny, sexual assault, mental health, and illness. What I love most is how Yvonne Bailey-Smith handles these issues with care ,nothing feels forced, just deeply human.
It’s the kind of story that stays with you, reminding us how resilience is built in both the quiet and painful moments of life.
The writing is delicate yet powerful, touching on heavy themes like grief, family, migration, misogyny, sexual assault, mental health, and illness. What I love most is how Yvonne Bailey-Smith handles these issues with care ,nothing feels forced, just deeply human.
It’s the kind of story that stays with you, reminding us how resilience is built in both the quiet and painful moments of life.
October 26, 2021
Pg 380. “Mi not proud of what mi did do, but it nuh someting me can change. Yuh can either accept it, or yuh can let it nyam you up, but you kyaan change it, girl.”
Taking place in the 1960’s and 70’s, and with much of the dialogue written in Jamaican patois, this book is a testament to individual strength and the power of love. Yvonne Bailey-Smith writes an honest, personal tale reflecting not only the immigrant experience in London England in the 60’s and early 70’s, but also the nostalgia for “home” that permeates human existence.
Taking place in the 1960’s and 70’s, and with much of the dialogue written in Jamaican patois, this book is a testament to individual strength and the power of love. Yvonne Bailey-Smith writes an honest, personal tale reflecting not only the immigrant experience in London England in the 60’s and early 70’s, but also the nostalgia for “home” that permeates human existence.
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