Erin reviewed A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
Review of 'A Brief History of Seven Killings' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Well, this was amazing. But amazing in a literary way, so I understand why this book would not be for everyone. It has a couple major barriers: 1) heavy use of patois 2) dense Jamaican politics. I was googling a lot in the first 50+ pages for a better understanding of both of those things. I thought I'd be at a disadvantage because I am not that familiar with Bob Marley or reggae, but this book is really not about him. It uses the attempt on his life to talk about a LOT of other things.
I started this book in an effort to tackle longer books in my TBR that I was not picking up. I read it over a month, interspersing other shorter and easier reads. That was the right way to go because I feel like I was able to take my time with it and appreciate …
Well, this was amazing. But amazing in a literary way, so I understand why this book would not be for everyone. It has a couple major barriers: 1) heavy use of patois 2) dense Jamaican politics. I was googling a lot in the first 50+ pages for a better understanding of both of those things. I thought I'd be at a disadvantage because I am not that familiar with Bob Marley or reggae, but this book is really not about him. It uses the attempt on his life to talk about a LOT of other things.
I started this book in an effort to tackle longer books in my TBR that I was not picking up. I read it over a month, interspersing other shorter and easier reads. That was the right way to go because I feel like I was able to take my time with it and appreciate it without feeling overwhelmed by it. I never felt compelled to keep reading - I don't think it qualifies as a page-turner except in certain moments. But I was always looking forward to a good reading experience when I picked it up.
This book covers many, many themes: masculinity, homophobia, racism, sexism, gang violence, diaspora experience, political corruption, US interference, drug addiction and dealing, sensationalism in journalism, etc., etc. I think the strongest theme may be the idea of masculinity, and how toxic masculinity breeds horrendous consequences, especially as it relates to gang violence. Another very strong theme would be, of course, Jamaican identity and the ways in which that identity is challenged, shaped, judged.
The way this book really stands out to me is the writing. It's amazing. It's not that it's flowery and poetic, though, which is what many people think of with literary writing. It's often quite disgusting and brutal actually. But there are writers out there, like James, who can capture voice and expression in ways that blow my mind. The characters feel like full people, they talk in ways that feel real, and their first person voices are all fascinating. On top of that, James has created a story with such intricate connections between characters that become clear as you read through the whole book. The variety of chapter structure also added to the continued draw of the book for me. It's such an achievement.
I understand why this book won't work for everyone. Especially at the beginning, there's a lot to take in. This is not a book you read if you are a casual reader or if you like to read books that are a romp. Not everyone likes to read for a challenging experience (which is fine!), and that's what you're in for with this one. For me, it was extremely rewarding.
Favorite quotes:
And I know how it feels and looks, a body that falls fighting air all the way down, grabbing on to clumps of nothing and begging once, just once, just goddamn once, Jesus, you sniveling son of a mongrel bitch, just once that air gives a grip.
Guys like Adler, guys who suddenly develop this sense of mission to expose evil America when they're just white guys with a guilty conscience who never know when to quit.
Gun weight is a different kind of weight. Or maybe it be something else, a feeling that whenever you hold a gun is really the gun holding you.
People who say they don't have a choice just too coward to choose.
Weeper think it an even match, they with the power, he with being right.
It's not the actual crime that makes me want to leave, it's the possibility that it can happen any time, any second now, even in the next minute. That it might never happen at all, but I'll think it will happen any second now for the next ten years.
"The second you say peace this and peace that, and let's talk about peace, is the second gunman put down their guns. But guess what, white boy. As soon as you put down your gun the policeman pull out his gun. Dangerous thing, peace. Peace make you stupid. You forget that not everybody sign peace treaty. Good times bad for somebody."
Then again Griselda is not a woman. She a vampire who cock drop off a hundred years ago.
And all I could think is Oh Lord here it comes, another white man about to tell me about how much he enjoyed Ocho Rios, but would have enjoyed it so much more if it weren't for all the poverty. And the country is so beautiful and the people so friendly and even in all this tragedy everybody still manages a smile especially the bombor'asscloth children.
I've never come across a man saying "I'm just curious" who didn't have some other motive. You live alone? I'm just curious, yes, that was the start of a fabulous night.
... when building monsters, don't be surprised when they become monstrous.
And if you keep making enemies, sooner or later they're gonna reach critical mass. Only a matter of time before you make enemies as ruthless as you, after all you're the one raising the bar.
