**Jamaica Road** by Lisa Smith is a coming-of-age story set in Thatcherite Britain, focusing on two characters, Daphne and Connie, who are both Black and Jamaican. Daphne has grown up in South London, while Cornelius, known as Connie, has just arrived in the UK and is undocumented.

The narrative explores their home lives and how their relationship evolves over time and how it is influenced by societal factors, particularly their struggles with class and race, as well as themes of love and violence.

Connie faces domestic abuse at home, while Daphne finds herself in a more systemic, abusive relationship with her racist country. She initially avoids confrontation and tends to tolerate racist behavior both at school and in public. However, as she observes Connie question these injustices, she begins to reassess her own experiences and the world around her more critically.

This novel spans a decade beginning in 1981, yet the pervasive racism depicted could easily lead readers to believe it is set in 2025. This realization adds to the heartbreak of the story.

I recommend this well-plotted novel. The author skillfully weaves together complex characters and keeps the story engaging across time. Fans of authors such as Zadie Smith, Sally Rooney, Alan Hollinghurst, Nicole Dennis-Benn, and James McBride would likely appreciate this read. Content warnings include racism, racist language/slurs, police violence, and domestic abuse (the latter two are not depicted explicitly).

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the ARC.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****