Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!
8 Best Books About Jamaica
A Dive Into Our History, Culture & Beliefs
Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.
New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!
by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer
Travelling to a new island, especially by yourself can be a bit daunting, scary even. It helps to make yourself as knowledgeable as possible about where you are going. And what better way to do so than to grab a book?
So here are a few books about Jamaica’s history, culture and beliefs, that will prepare you for your trip.
New! How much do you love Jamaica?
Join our growing list of well-thinking Jamaica-loving folks who are demonstrating what a friendly, helpful and fun Jamaican community looks like. Click Here to learn more.
And, if you ever need a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!
1. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
This book, which was published in 1966, barely four years after Jamaica gained its independence, is a postcolonial investigation of some of the problems of the day. The story is narrated in three different voices, beginning and ending with that of the protagonist Antoinette, who serves as a forerunner to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, better known as the "crazy woman in the attic".
Rhys examines the subject of racial, sexual, and cultural inequality by narrating the origin tale of Antoinette/Bertha. Antoinette is the literary personification of the simultaneously possessed and dispossessed subjects of colonial powers because she is steadily deprived of her name, cultural identity, and independence.
2. The Story of the Jamaican People by Hazel Bennett and Philip Manderson Sherlock
This beautifully drawn book is primarily concerned with the history of the Africans that European colonizers brought to Jamaica. This book's Afrocentric perspective provides a particularly particular lens through which to observe Jamaica's history.
This book, which traces the history of the Jamaican people from slavery and struggle to emancipation and independence, should be read in conjunction with other traditional history texts to get a full and accurate understanding of Jamaican history.
For individuals who want to comprehend contemporary Jamaica, additional study will be necessary, but the authors do a great job of portraying a frequently ignored facet of Jamaican history.
3. Abeng by Michelle Cliff
A 1984 book that is related to Maroons. A mixed-race Jamaican girl named Clare Savage grows up in the 1950s in this semi-autobiographical book. It investigates Jamaica's historical repression brought on by British imperialism.
Information about the island's empire, as well as information about slavery in Jamaica and Jamaican mythology, is scattered throughout the story.
It is underlined that the heroes are frequently ignorant of these details, which frequently help to highlight how horrific slavery and imperialism are.
4. The Dead Yard: A Story of Modern Jamaica by Ian Thomson
The Dead Yard is a captivating description of Jamaica as it is today, populated by many interesting characters, from Chinese and Indian business owners to criminals, rastas, and corrupt authorities.
It paints a contemporary vision of modern Jamaica through first-hand journalistic coverage. In this critically acclaimed novel, the numerous difficulties and problems of this ostensibly stunning Caribbean island are vividly depicted.
However, the picture it presents is not positive and focuses too much on Jamaica's problems rather than everything that is admirable about this well-known island. A tale of contemporary Jamaica that is both highly recommended and intriguing, if a little gloomy.
5. The Harder They Come Michael Thelwell
This novel is a compelling depiction of postcolonial Jamaica and was inspired by the same Jimmy Cliff film, which in turn was influenced by actual events in Jamaica.
A young guy moves to the city in search of fame and money, but as is common in such stories, his moral character deteriorates and he ultimately falls.
This book is completely engrossing and offers a profoundly nuanced cultural portrayal of Jamaica with vividly portrayed people. It is well worth reading on its own, but anyone interested in learning more about contemporary Jamaica will find it very satisfying.
6. Anancy and Friends by Beulah Richmond
Eight cultural folk tales for kids are included in "Anancy and Friends," which is an attempt by a grandmother to tell her grandkids traditional tales.
With fresh plotlines and intriguing characters, the stories inventively adapt classic Anancy tales. The cartoonist Clovis Brown provided the visuals for the stories, which capture the enthusiasm and creativity of Jamaican culture.
7. A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
This critically acclaimed book is smart, challenging, compelling and unsettling, lyrical and shocking. The technical mastery of James' writing also presents the reader with some difficulty since it depicts the history of Jamaica in a violent manner through the voices of numerous different characters.
The book needs perseverance but is all the more gratifying for it since the patois voices, while distinct and authentic, can be challenging to follow. This book depicts the spirit of Jamaica at the time, spanning a period from the turbulent 1970s, when the foundations of modern Jamaican society were laid, through the early 1990s.
As its name implies, A Brief History of Seven Killings offers a unique perspective on Jamaica that is both vital and profoundly frightening.
8. Doctor No by Ian Fleming
The Bond books were written from the author's residence in Goldeneye on Jamaica's north coast during the final years of colonial Britain. Fleming sends Bond to Jamaica to look into the disappearance of an MI6 officer based on his personal knowledge of Jamaica and naval information.
The Chinese businesspeople, hired guns, political schemers, and other fantastical characters are all based on real people. The fact that many of the locations where the action is happening are actual locations that can be visited is one of the reasons this is such a fun novel to read before travelling to Jamaica.
You can go to some of the same places that James Bond frequents, take the same routes, and even go to the author's house.
Most of these books can be found with a quick Google search, but if you happen to be in Jamaica and you have the time, The Jamaica Library Service or a bookstore must have copies!
And you know what, even if you are not coming to Jamaica any time soon, these books all make fun, interesting reads.
See Also:
You might like these
Jamaican Poetry - An Insight Into Its History And Development
An insight into the history and development of Jamaican Poetry - a must read
Jamaican Poems - These Are The Best - In My Opinion
These are my top picks - my favourite Jamaican poems! And now you can also share your own masterpiece
Claude Mckay - Jamaican Poet Extraordinaire
A brief bio of our own Jamaican poet, Claude McKay who began writing poetry as a schoolboy.
Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)
If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more.
It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica!
Return to Jamaican Poetry from Best Books About Jamaica
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Best Books About Jamaica
References & Sources For Best Books About Jamaica
- https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/jamaica/articles/6-books-to-read-before-visiting-jamaica/
- https://www.bookfusion.com/books/114403-anancy-and-friends
New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿
 |
You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now! |
See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!
 |
My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers. |
Read More ...
New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!
P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for?
Still need help?
Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!
Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.
NEW!
Join the growing list of well-thinking, Jamaica-Loving folks in our vibrant Private Community
👇🏿
Featured Video!
Travelling To Jamaica?
Read this BEFORE you go
👇🏿
New Here?
I recommend you START HERE to enjoy the best of this website!
New! For Authentic Jamaican products, from my very own hands, visit my Etsy store here.
Recent Articles
-
Medical Scholarships in Jamaica
Apr 23, 24 04:21 PM
Pursuing a career in medicine is a noble aspiration, however it is quite expensive. These medical scholarships in Jamaica helps to ease the financial burden. -
Why Do People Like Jamaica So Much?
Apr 23, 24 03:00 PM
Jamaica is one of the top vacation destinations in the Caribbean, which may have you wondering, why do people like Jamaica so much? -
How To Become A Realtor In Jamaica?
Apr 20, 24 12:09 PM
Are you eyeing the real estate business but not sure how to become a realtor in Jamaica? This is all you need to know to get started. -
Jamaican Oats Porridge Recipe! Simple and Delicious
Apr 19, 24 01:49 PM
Yes! Oats porridge, the breakfast of champions! This simple dish is a go-to for most of us. Don’t you want to give the Jamaican Oats Porridge recipe a try? -
Jamaican Passion Fruit Juice | Refreshing, Delicious, Nutritious!
Apr 18, 24 05:14 PM
Summer is fast approaching. We’ll need many refreshing drinks to take through the warm sunny weather. Why not add Jamaican passion fruit juice to the list?
About The Author
A patriotic Jamaican who adores its culture, Wellesley has been using this medium to share what he calls 'the uniqueness of Jamaica with the world' since April 2007.
To date, he serves over 9,300 unique readers / viewers per day (and over 1.1millon page views monthly)
His efforts have earned this site featured positions in local publications, including the Jamaica Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica, Carlong Publishers, as well as recognition from numerous prestigious international agencies and universities. Read more about him here.
He invites you to subscribe to this site to stay updated on all the latest and check out his unique Jamaican products on his e-store.
If you are on social media, here are the links to follow his latest posts:
You are also invited to join his exclusive JAMHearts community where like-minded Jamaican enthusiasts discuss all things Jamaican.
Didn't Find What You Are Seeking?
Do a quick site search here:
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.