Safiya Sinclair, the woman you are!!

This is one of the most beautiful memoirs I've ever read. I've never considered how different a story could be told from a poet's point of view. Every line of this book was like art. Or magic. I didn't want it to end!

The author grew up in a strict Rastafarian household in Jamaica, with her Dad at the center, controlling every aspect of their lives. In Rastafarian culture, women are shamed, belittled, and demonized for being womanly from a very young age. Their menstrual cycles mark them as "unclean" and any focus on vanity is prohibited. Women can't wear makeup or pants, paint their nails, pierce their ears, and they have to wear dreadlocks. Growing up with two sisters and a brother, their Dad was obsessed with the girls and their purity, terrified of them becoming pregnant as a teenager and ruining their virtue. Their world was very small, growing up in a poor household with limited opportunities and their Dad's oppressive presence constantly looming over their heads.

Although this book was difficult to read at times, I learned about a new culture and was inspired by Safiya's strength and fierce love for her siblings and mother. After a literal attempted murder in one of the last chapters, I had no idea how this book would end, but I was pleasantly surprised with the redemptive arc at the finish. This story is one of loyalty, girlhood, coming of age, generational trauma, and the healing power of the written word.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest feedback!

Trigger warnings: domestic abuse, misogyny, racism

4.3 Stars

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write my review of this memoir. This was such an interesting story from a person who has lived a unique life. It's always hard to review a memoir, and personally it comes down to whether or not it feels sincere and how much I enjoyed the writing style. Both of these criteria were met with this book.

Safiya's story was rich with culture, motivation, and growth, while also touching on many hard topics. Complex familial relationships, religious extremism, and generational trauma are at the forefront here. It was interesting to read this West Indian perspective, and to see such a well received book introduce so many to Rastafarianism. That's all I'm going to say, because anything more would need a much larger (and spoiler-filled) conversation.

I think this story was presented wonderfully and I would recommend everyone to pick it up.

What an incredible and powerful memoir. Safiya Sinclair’s words are a lyrical masterpiece, as she recounts her life growing up in a strict Rastafarian household.

I did not know much about the Rastafarian lifestyle and beliefs before reading this novel. Sinclair’s novel digs deep into the history of the Rastafari, highlighting how the men each lead their own household in the interpretation of Rastafarian teachings, often with strict enforcement for the women in the family.

This novel is complex in its emotions and relationships. There is heartache and anguish, despair and anger, yet there is hope and love. There is vulnerability as Sinclair shares her struggles with her father’s household rules, and her attempts to grow as an independent woman under those rules. The reader feels her pain and disappointment as she grasps at opportunities to break free, only for those to vanish before fruition. Nonetheless, Sinclair’s resolve and determination lead her out of that caged existence, with her voice shining through in her renowned poetry, ultimately leading to the creation of this memoir.

I read and listened to this novel. I highly recommend doing both, as Safiya’s narration is just as beautiful as her writing.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for a published copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely stunning memoir about growing up in a Rastafarian household and how it affects everything. Sinclair’s writing is perfect and she bares all for us to see. The beautiful, but also the very very ugly, and the handling of traumas over time, are navigated with such precision of language, while keeping all the heart. I loved this one!

this book is HEAVY. i know that it is a memoir; however, I wasn't prepared. it took me forever to read because i just needed to break it up.
at times it was slow but every detail was necessary

A gripping and enlightening memoir. Sinclair gave me a glimpse into a world I didn't know much about and her prose is poetic. This wasn't always an easy read, it's one I highly recommend.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the copy to review.

This is a memoir written by a poet, so do I really need to say more?? A truly incredible memoir of her childhood growing up in a strict Rastafarian home in Jamaica while aching for freedom and gender equality. Sinclair does an expert job of weaving background information about Rastafarianism and Jamaican history into her personal story. Her prose, as expected from a poet, is beautiful, vivid, and fierce. My only note is that the ending seemed a little too tied up with a bow - but if that's what happened in real life, then that's what happened! I really recommend this book to anyone! It is one of my favorite memoirs of all time and should be included in the modern feminist canon.

Safiya Sinclair’s “How to Say Babylon” gives her readers an insider’s perspective of Rastafari and how she was able to escape the controlling rules of her father, poverty, and the strict rules of Rastafari. I am guilty of knowing a fingernail amount of knowledge of the Rastafari religion, which I learned about from Bob Marley biographies and his music catalogue. I have traveled to Jamaica and have seen the tourist areas as well as remote areas, but I truly had no idea of what role Rastafari played in Jamaica. Sinclair writes beautiful prose to convey her hardships and her desire to break free from the constraints. The reader hopes that her mother will find the strength and resources to break away from her abusive husband. Because of Sinclair’s resilience and education she was able tif find a path out.

Although compared to Tara Westover’s memoir, “Educated”, Sinclair’s poetic writing style and use of symbolism surpasses Westover’s writing style. True, their experiences have many commonalities, but “How to Say Babylon” reads like literary fiction.

I would recommend this book to students in Advanced Placement courses or Creative Writing but would need to be upfront about some triggers of abuse.

Thank you to Safiya Sinclair, 37 Ink, and NetGalley for the ARC.

A mostly sad read. The author’s parents story was full of hardship and deprivation.
I didn’t really understand her father’s beliefs but understood the consequences of them.
I think Sinclair was very generous to forgive her father because I didn’t think I could have.

In "How to Say Babylon: A Memoir," Safiya Sinclair delivers a poignant and poetic exploration of her upbringing in a strict Rastafarian household in Jamaica. With lyrical prose, Sinclair paints a vivid picture of her childhood, marked by her father's fervent religious beliefs and the stifling expectations placed upon her as a young woman. Sinclair's journey is one of rebellion and self-discovery. She navigates the complexities of her family dynamics, grappling with the weight of tradition and the yearning for independence. Her love for poetry becomes a lifeline, offering solace and a means of expressing her innermost thoughts and desires. The memoir is a testament to the power of language and the resilience of the human spirit. Sinclair's evocative writing captures the beauty and harsh realities of her homeland, while her unflinching honesty reveals the deep wounds inflicted by patriarchal control and religious dogma.

While the narrative occasionally meanders and lacks a clear structure, Sinclair's poetic sensibilities and raw emotions make for a compelling read. The coming-of-age story resonates with universal themes of identity, family, and the search for freedom. It is a powerful and moving memoir that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

I really enjoyed this book! The story was so raw and truthful and honestly really educated me about another culture. I think everyone should read this book.

This audiobook was hella long but I powered through it and really, really enjoyed it. Not surprised that the author is a poet. I learned gobs about Rastafarianism and found every part of it fascinating. The author does a good job telling parts of the story she isn’t proud of as well. In the vein of Educated, but longer. Definitely worth the listen! 4.5

I've been trying for two weeks to write this, and nothing feels right. I just want to say this is the most beautiful memoir I think I've ever read.

I loved this so much. It was such an emotional story. I put it on hold because I wasn’t sure how I was gonna feel about it. But I throughly enjoyed it. Some things it talks about is heavier, but definitely a good read

Beautifully written memoir, I feel like I learned a lot about the Rastafarian culture. Definitely well done.

Fascinating account of a young woman whose father became a Rastafarian in Jamaica. Safiya Sinclair is the oldest of 4 siblings born to her mother. (Her father has other children) She relates the account of their life in Jamaica, where she is forced to adopt the Rasta ways. Wearing dreadlocks was a primary way of identifying followers. Safiya's mother taught the children and they were extremely bright. Safiya attends school and is moved forward a few grades due to her intelligence. Her dreadlocks cause her to be bullied, and also to miss out on opportunities. Her father's discipline was harsh, he beat her mother, herself, and her siblings. Safiya needs to come to terms with her home life and her father's ideals. Safiya is depressed, but is able to find herself through poetry. Poetry opens new avenues for her and allows her to leave Jamaica, get an education, and win multiple awards. She decides to write her family story for those that came before, and those that will follow her.
An emotional story, beautifully written, with great insights on how to survive a difficult family experience and to come out whole.

Sinclair's memoir is a tour de force of introspection and self-discovery, as she navigates the complexities of her Jamaican heritage and the intersections of race, culture, and personal history. Through lyrical language and vivid imagery, she invites readers into her world, inviting them to witness the joys, sorrows, and triumphs of her journey towards self-acceptance and understanding.

One of the most remarkable aspects of "How to Say Babylon" is Sinclair's ability to seamlessly weave together the personal and the universal, creating a narrative that resonates with readers of all backgrounds. Whether recounting her childhood in Jamaica, her experiences as an immigrant in America, or her reflections on love and loss, Sinclair's voice is both intimate and universal, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences and connections to the world around them.

In the classroom, "How to Say Babylon" serves as a rich and engaging text for exploring the art of memoir writing. Through close reading and discussion, students have the opportunity to analyze Sinclair's narrative techniques, from her use of metaphor and symbolism to her skillful blending of past and present. Additionally, the memoir prompts students to reflect on their own identities and experiences, inspiring them to explore their own stories through the lens of creative expression.

Moreover, "How to Say Babylon" aligns with the objectives of the 11th-grade English curriculum, particularly in its emphasis on narrative writing and literary analysis. By studying Sinclair's memoir, students deepen their understanding of the memoir genre and hone their skills in crafting vivid, authentic narratives that reflect their own unique perspectives and voices.

I was so excited to get my hands on this one but it just didn't entertain me as much as I was hoping for. I have had a few friends read it and they have LOVED it so I know that my review is probably in the minority.

A truly masterful memoir. It's clear that Sinclair is a poet -- her mastery of metaphors and description elevate this work. I learned a lot about Rastafarianism and was deeply invested in Sinclair and her family.

There is nothing better than a memoir written by a poet and How to Say Babylon was no disappointment. Brilliant, sharp, and heartfelt. I loved every word.