Fruit of the Lemon

Levy crafted this tale with intent and purpose. Using Faith, she melded existence in England among changing and still archaic racial worldviews to broach the subject of self and knowing thyself by knowing where you come from. This book is peopled by characters that felt familiar to my Jamaican eyes and the ways in which family secrets and histories are held unto and then passed on mirrors Jamaican society to this day. As Coral tells Faith, "...now you know some of your family history. But there is still more."I will admit to harbouring feelings of disappointment towards Wade and Mildred, in that they did not effectively communicate their own experiences after immigrating to England, believing that Faith's citizenship was enough to get her through. But they redeemed themselves by being more observant, if still too quiet, by sending her on a journey that would help ground her in her identity.

This is the story of Faith Jackson, her family who came from Jamaica and how she goes back to discover her roots. Very well written, believable characters and excellent book.

Die Autorin beschreibt in autobiographischer Weise das Leben, das sie in Londonführt, ohne je Jamaica kennengelernt zu haben. Da sie immer häufiger damitkonfrontiert wird, unternimmt sie die Reise in das Land ihrer Familie und lernt dorterstaunliche Dinge kennen.Das Buch ist sehr einfühlsam geschrieben und es hat auch durchaus humorvolleElemente.Empfehlenswert für alle, die sich damit beschäftigen wollen, daß Menschen nirgendsrichtig zu Hause sind. Nicht im Land, in dem sie Leben und nicht im Herkunftsland.

I read Fruit of the Lemon after reading Small Island by the same author. Both are excellent books, providing unusual (Caribbean) perspectives on life and history. The author's story line and dialogues are excellent. The writing is descriptive, filled with unexpected plot developments, and a book that cannot be put down once begun. She writes the kind of fiction that is based on reality and entirely credible. I have already recommended this writer, Andrea Levy, and her books to friends. Interesting, stimulating, worthwhile reading.

Ho trovato questo libro avvincente. Nonostante parli del percorso di ricerca e di (ri)creazione dell'identità personale, della ricerca di un luogo di appartenenza all'interno di un mondo multiculturale e ibrido, di razzismo ecc. - temi che possono sembrare complicati e/o pesanti - lo stile è esageratamente scorrevole e semplice, diretto, e le esperienze descritte sono quotidiane, trattate per la maggior parte con ironia.L'intreccio delle varie storie, che sono di per sé frammentate e frammentarie, forma alla fine un tutt'uno completo ed esaustivo.Consigliatissimo per chi vuole allargare i propri orizzonti rilassandosi e avere, eventulamente, dell'ottimo materiale su cui riflettere, senza dovere per forza impazzire per capirlo.