Small Island - by Andrea Levy

I went into this book thinking it would be like every other book on the same topic. I thought I would be able to predict the story and the outcome and that it would be no different to others I've read. How very wrong I was. Small Island makes one uncomfortable in the sense that it unveils truths which most of us would prefer to remain buried. It makes us notice and think about issues we still avoid. 

Small Island is told from the perspectives of four people, each dealing with World War II and its aftermath in their own ways. Andrea Levy spectacularly highlights "the other side": the side of war and Imperialism not taught in school or textbooks.

We all know about the American Dream, but here Levy shows us the "British dream" of the colonial peoples emigrating to Britain for what they believed to be a better life. We hear from Hortense and Gilbert, Jamaicans who have left the safety of their homes for the cobbled streets of England. We also see the treatment of Indian soldiers fighting alongside their British counterparts. The casual racism was at times uncomfortable, but very necessary in showing the distinction between dreams and reality.

In the first half of the book I took a dislike to Hortense. I found her grating and incorrigible. As I read on, I found that her doggedness is what made me grow to love her. Hortense is the figure of defiance and bravery in the face of adversity. Her independent voice is so strong and resilient that a character description is unnecessary. Levy understands this and so expertly uses Hortense's voice to describe and define her. 

Gilbert, Hortense's husband is the light in the darkness. He shows bravery in a different way. Gilbert is the lovable rogue, fighting racism and abrasiveness with humour and good heart. A kind-spirited, courageous, intelligent man who provides support and reassurance at a volatile and emotionally raw time.

I could talk for hours about Queenie. Her character gave me mixed feelings. A white woman, with little racist pre-disposition, living in a world where those who are not white are considered inferior. I felt as if I was on her journey of internal struggle and conflict - wanting to befriend her and show her that there is another way. Her loveless marriage is the backstory which stitches together the rest of the book. 

In their own ways, these characters were relatable. However, for me, Queenie's husband - Bernard - was the most unrelatable. For the story, this was a necessity and I believe Levy deliberately made it difficult to relate to Bernard or feel some sort of attachment. In a sense, Bernard enhanced the rest of the characters and their stories. He provided a means of comparison and distinction.

In my opinion the story ended too soon. I feel there was enough left unsaid for Levy to write a sequel with as much promise and character. Throughout the book, the emotions I felt for each character were definite. I knew how I felt about each, but the climax of the book left me questioning those feelings I thought I had solidified. Is this a sad ending or a happy ending? Is this what the characters deserve? Should I be grateful for what has happened?

Small Island was recommended to me by my flat-mate. It had caught my eye numerous times but I never took that step to check it out of the library. I'm glad I waited. This is a book deserving one's undivided time and attention. 

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Genre: Literary Fiction/Historical Fiction

Publisher: Tinder Press

Date of publication: 13th September 2004

Pages: 531

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

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