Never Far from Nowhere

As the offspring of parents who grew up in the Colonial Era in the West Indies , I can totally relate to the clashing world views between generations. The older generation was brainwashed to believe that the English way was the best and that England was the motherland as opposed to their real homelands of Africa and India. This book perfectly encapsulates the inner-conflict within the West Indian immigrant who comes to live in their adopted homeland but is rejected like a motherless child. Generally , the typical approach to such a rejection is denial as observed in many older folks as they cannot deal with the shame. The younger generation like Vivien would sometimes aspire to make it via education only to be shot down in the bid to claim jobs reserved for the members of the white middle-class. Only her sister is the realist and is attempting to forge an authentic black identity in a place which refuses to acknowledge the existence of Black Britain.

The book is good. It just took a dog's age to get here.

Arrived a little slow but can't wait to read. Very good condition! Thanks!

for all the black people who went to England - and live in England - it is a MUST read!

I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Thought provoking. The ending was a bit abrupt I was left wanting more.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed reading this book by Andrea Leavy,it took me back to the day I arrived in London from Jamaica.The day I started my first english school,how I was treated by my class mates and more by my first teacher she was racist and abusive at the same time,because I was a light skin jamaica I was called horrid names by other West Indian,I was treated differently by English girls because they saw me as different from them.I found it hard and I missed my home country of Jamaica.This Andrea showed in this book it was almost as if she was writing my story

Loved this book. I enjoyed the format - similar to Small Island, with the two main characters taking turns to tell their shared story. An interesting story about class and racism, it follows two sisters whose experience of Britain differs. We are left to question whether this is due to one having lighter skin than the other. There are uncomfortable moments where we see the characters struggling to find a place for themselves, with England never quite letting them fit in. Had my gripped from the start. I was fully captivated by both characters.

Really good read ,two sisters bought up together but with different life experiences

Fictional account of a black girl growing up with a widowed mother and an older sister. Not biographical, but uses some of her experiences to tell the story. As a white male I felt ashamed for the way black people were treated. Andrea Levy has a balanced attitude and the writing is of her usual high standard.

Good book and excellent service.