The Long Song (Andrea Levy)

Andrea Levy

It is interesting what draws my attention to a new read, it is maybe a perusal in Waterstones or a friend’s recommendation. This one, however, came via adverts for a TV adaption, listening to Radio 4 (they do a good book program when I’m driving home from work - ultimate book nerd I know) and then the news of the recent death of the author, Andrea Levy. Andrea Levy was a British writer of Jamaican descent who poured her heritage and the history of her family’s home country into her writings. Though this is the first book I have read written by Andrea Levy I doubt it will be my last as her witty, yet strikingly blunt writing is compelling and thought-provoking.

The Long Song explores the relationship between slaves and slave owners in 19th century Jamaica. Undoubtedly, Jamaica is a corner of the world whose story of slavery is not so well known to us as North America. Levy writes in a colloquial fashion, evoking clear scenes and images of a hot and exotic Jamaica. The reader is drawn into a tale of stark reality; joy sits alongside the deepest of anguish and moments of humour alongside the depravity of man’s actions. Levy’s tale is told from the mouth of July, a house slave who describes the harsh brutality of man against fellow man without justice, of identity and destiny lying in the colour of skin and of the false promises of freedom. Perhaps these themes aren’t bound to the time or place in the historical setting of this tale. The harsh brutality of man towards those he deems of less value than himself continues to permeate our lands without evident justice. Rather, the applause of many follows their actions. Additionally, we see a continual search for identity with empty results. A desire for true freedom echoes in the hearts of all of mankind and yet they are too blind to comprehend it. Thanks be to the One who will bring true justice, who graciously gives the greatest of identities in Christ and who provides the ultimate freedom - “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8v36.

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