#40, If I Survive You, by Jonathan Escoffery

 




Booker Prize: Shortlisted 2023

Plot Time and Place: Jamaica, Miami; the 1970's, Present time

Opening sentence: "It begins with "What are you?" hollered from the perimeter of your front yard when you're nine - younger, probably."

Plot summary: The story of Trelawney, the son of Jamaican immigrants to America, trying to find his place in the world, and his identity, while trying to overcome his rivalry with his brother, and issues with his father.

Review:  I wasn't much into it in the beginning. The Jamaican accent in writing proved pretty hard to read, and the main character wasn't all that likable. But then it grew on me. It's funny, and sad at the same time. I liked the elements of sibling rivalry, and trying to get by in the U.S. I also found it interesting that people seem to be so obsessed about race (and putting people into boxes) in America.

Rating:  3/5

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