New Releases by Andrea Levy

Andrea Levy's final publication - a collection of short stories she had written over her career ________ 'None of my books is just about race,' Levy has said.'They're about people and history.' Her novels have triumphantly given voice to the people and stories that might have slipped through the cracks in history. From Jamaican slave society in the nineteenth century, through post-war immigration into Britain, to the children of migrants growing up in '60s London, her books are acclaimed for skilful storytelling and vivid characters. And her unique voice, unflinching but filled with humour, compassion and wisdom, has made her one of the most significant and exciting contemporary authors. This collection opens with an essay about how writing has helped Andrea Levy to explore and understand her heritage. She explains the context of each piece within the chronology of her career and finishes with a new story, written to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. As with her novels, these stories are at once moving and honest, deft and humane, filled with insight, anger at injustice and her trademark lightness of touch. ________ 'Moving, funny, gloriously well-written' The Times 'Subtle and compelling . . . full of important insights' The Independent

Written to mark the centenary of the outbreak of WWI, this short story by multi-award-winning, million copy bestselling author Andrea Levy tells the tale of two Jamaican service men in that conflict.

Una novela sobre la esclavitud en Jamaica«El libro que tienes entre las manos nació de un intenso anhelo. Mi madre tenía una historia que contar. Esa historia le pesaba tanto en el pecho que una fuerza superior a su propia voluntad la empujó a transmitírmela a mí, su hijo. Su intención era que, una vez conocedor del relato, llegado el momento oportuno, hiciera yo partícipes de él a mis hijas. Y así sucesivamente. La fábula no se perdería jamás y, de tanto repetirse, alcanzaría una grandeza solo comparable a la de las leyendas que se cuentan señalando con el dedo los retratos o bustos albergados en cualquier mansión de esta isla de Jamaica».

A unique novel full of humour, wit and passion from Andrea Levy, critically acclaimed author of the Orange Prize winning SMALL ISLAND and the Man Booker shortlisted THE LONG SONG. Faith Jackson fixes herself up with a great job in TV and the perfect flatshare. But neither is that perfect - and nor are her relations with her overbearing, though always loving family. Furious and perplexed when her parents announce their intention to retire back home to Jamaica, Faith makes her own journey there, where she is immediately welcomed by her Aunt Coral, keeper of a rich cargo of family history. Through the weave of her aunt's storytelling a cast of characters unfolds stretching back to Cuba and Panama, Harlem and Scotland, a story that passes through London and sweeps through continents.

Als bevrijding geen vrijheid brengt 'Meesterlijke roman over de relatie tussen twee sterke vrouwen die niet mét en niet zonder elkaar kunnen: de zwarte slavin July en de blanke plantagehoudster Caroline. July is een slaaf die op de suikerplantage Amity leeft. Caroline Mortimer is een blanke vrouw die de plantage bezit. Het lange lied is hun verhaal, maar ook een verhaal over de negers die op het land van de plantage werken, en over de afschaffing van de slavernij, die wel bevrijding, maar geen vrijheid bracht. Dit is een indringende roman die geen lezer onberoerd zal laten. Levys unieke stijl trekt de lezer direct in het leven op de broeierige plantages van Jamaica. Prachtig geschreven, humor een juweel. FINANCIAL TIMES Tegelijkertijd een verhaal over de strijd van één vrouw om te overleven in verschrikkelijke omstandigheden, en een lofzang op de talloze slaven die meer deden dan alleen maar lijden en sterven, maar ook in staat waren om alles uit hun bestaan te halen wat ze maar konden. Buitengewoon goed en vlot geschreven. THE INDEPENDENT Andrea Levy is geboren in Engeland als dochter van Jamaicaanse immigranten. Haar internationale doorbraak kwam met de roman Small Island, die gelauwerd werd met een keur aan prijzen, met als hoogtepunt de Orange Prize for Fiction: Best of the Best. Otto Biersma vertaalde eerder onder andere Marisha Pessl, Calamiteitenleer voor gevorderden, Mitch Cullin en Claire Messud. www.mouria.nl '

The remarkable, emotional debut novel, both funny and moving, which was longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction, from the critically aclaimed Andrea Levy, author of the Orange Prize winning SMALL ISLAND and the Man Booker shortlisted THE LONG SONG. 'Better opportunity' - that's why Angela's dad sailed to England from America in 1948 on the Empire Windrush. Six months later her mum joined him in his one room in Earl's Court... ...Twenty years and four children later, Mr Jacob has become seriously ill and starts to move unsteadily through the care of the National Health Service. As Angela, his youngest, tries to help her mother through this ordeal, she finds herself reliving her childhood years, spent on a council estate in Highbury.

A tale inspired by the years before and after nineteenth-century Jamaica's emancipation finds the willful slave Miss July moving into her mistress's great house, where she becomes a valuable confidante, learns to read, and witnesses the Baptist War.

A passionate and perceptive story full of the pain and the humour of growing up, from Andrea Levy, author of the Orange Prize winning SMALL ISLAND and the Man Booker shortlisted THE LONG SONG. NEVER FAR FROM NOWHERE is the story of two sisters, Olive and Vivien, born in London to Jamaican parents and brought up on a council estate. They go to the same grammar school, but while Vivien's life becomes a chaotic mix of friendships, youth clubs, skinhead violence, A-levels, discos and college, Olive, three years older and a skin shade darker, has a very different tale to tell...

Told in four distinct voices, the winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2004 is a courageous novel of tender emotion and sparkling wit, encapsulating the most American of experiences: the immigrant's life.