Originally published on November 4, 2021 | Last updated on February 26, 2024
Sharing my thoughts on two recent reads. Fruit of the Lemon by Andrea Levy and A Little Course in Crochet by D. K. Publishing.
Fruit of the Lemon by Andrea Levy
Years ago, I read and enjoyed Small Island. So, when I recently saw another Andrea Levy book, I knew I had to give it a read. Fruit of the Lemon is a tale about Faith Jackson, a black British woman with parents who emigrated from Jamaica. It deals with the themes of identity, race and family.
In the first part of the book, we learn about Faith’s life in England. It becomes clear that she knows very little about her Jamaican heritage. Her friends and roommates are all white, she is the only black employee at her workplace and she seems uninterested in learning about her roots. However, as the book goes on, the casual British racism, the discrimination she receives at work, and then later, witnessing an attack on a black woman, takes a huge toll on her. Faith’s parents become worried about her and decide to send her to visit her aunt in Jamaica for a few weeks.
The second half takes place in Jamaica and this is where the book really comes to life. As Faith meets Aunt Coral and her relatives, she pieces together her family tree, a journey that sweeps from Cuba to Scotland, Panama to Harlem. I loved hearing about Faith’s ancestors and their lives– we learn about an array of charming characters with interesting individual stories. As Faith discovers who she is, she feels a strong connection to Jamaica and the people there. She also finds a sense of pride and confidence that she never had before.
The third part of the book entitled “England” is just one page. The reader is left to guess Faith’s outcome once she arrives back to England. I was a little disappointed with the ending as it would have been nice to find out how Faith’s outlook on life changed once she returned from Jamaica. Instead, the reader is left to guess.
Overall, this is a very touching story about the importance of knowing where you’re from. I found it to be very enjoyable and one that I could relate to. Levy writes very vividly and fluidly. She makes it so easy to picture the characters and scenery in your head. A great read!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
A Little Course in Crochet by D.K. Publishing
I started crocheting at the end of 2019 and find it really enjoyable. A handy guide that I’ve been using is A Little Course in Crochet. It’s full of useful tips and clear step-by-step pictures and diagrams. It shares key techniques, useful reminders, crochet terminology charts and stitch galleries. It’s also full of crochet projects to try ordered in complexity. I’ve learnt a lot by following this book, and have enjoyed the projects it features. I find myself always referring back to this guide, as it has all of the crochet basics you need.
I highly recommend this guide for crochet beginners. If you’re an intermediate crocheter, you may also find this book handy to remind yourself of stitches.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
What have you been reading lately?
