Saturday, March 17, 2007

Small Island

This book has won a number of awards and is a fascinating read. During World War II soldiers from British colonies fought for Britain but when they came to live there were given a very cold welcome. Set mainly in 1948 we see a slice of life in England during a very difficult time of transition.

The story is told alternately by a Jamaican man who fought in the war and has now come to live in England, his proud and haughty wife, an English woman who married to escape her dull farm life and her awkward, cold husband. Their lives collide in a tale of relationships, racism, hope and dashed expectations.
Small Island can be found in the Wagga adult fiction section under Levy.