Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Start discussion here for Small Island by Andrea Levy.

I finished reading this yesterday, and it wasn't as good as I hoped. Since it won the Orange Prize, now the Women's Prize, I had expectations that may have been too high. I hope someone else reads this so I can compare our opinions.

I read this about ten years ago and enjoyed it, but didn't love it. My favourite part was the first section of the book.

I liked the last part the best when Bernard finally enters the story and the backstory is done. One of my issues was that the "before" sections were much longer than the 1948 sections. This is supposed to be a story of immigration, but so much of the story is set before George and Hortense immigrate. I wanted the before sections to be shorter and the 1948 sections to be more fleshed out.

I'm reading it, now at about 65% point. The characters are interesting so far and there is a lot of story, not much observation or introspection so it goes fairly quickly for a > 400 page novel. I'll try to finish in a week or two, but am reading several others also.
I haven't been to Jamaica, or England for that matter, but have visited The Virgin Islands, Cuba and the Florida keys, so can relate a bit to that Caribbean island atmosphere. Most of the book seems to take place in London though.
I'm enjoying the clear but sometimes lyrical writing style.
(updated 12/28)

I was saddened to learn just now that Andrea Levy died last year (2019) at age 62 from breast cancer. Quite a loss with a premature death.

George P. wrote: "I was saddened to learn just now that Andrea Levy died last year (2019) at age 62 from breast cancer. Quite a loss with a premature death."

I didn't know that. Very sad.

I've read nearly 80% now, and am enjoying it more. It's great how the reader gains more sympathy for each character as you learn more about the life they have lived. This was especially true for me with Queenie's husband Bernard and his father. I'll try to finish soon.

I read this last year. It was good but at times I struggled with it. I liked the character development in the first part.