Island Songs by Alex Wheatle

A brilliant piece of writing. I just today finish reading my fourth book by the author Alex Wheatle and enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed the others. More so. Suprising really because the story of two sisters born in the 40s and their lives, loves and intertwined tale doesn't at first seem like something that would grab me but based on the previous reads I decided to give it a go.

And I'm glad I did. The sense of culture is so rich and strong when you read this you feel drawn in. I feel more connected to the people I was reading about, their traditions and stories and how similar they are to what I know. An older side of Carribean culture that doesn't get emphasised as much today sadly. I even learned the origins of a few words, phrases and historical references I wasn't previously aware of but which had been with me all along anyway.

The story was great, though I couldn't quite figure out the one sisters behaviour until the end when her mother spoke to her. An infatuation grown into an obsession based on what seemed to me, no more than one conversation in a market didn't make any sense but it seems that wasn't what it was all about anyway. Don't worry that won't make sense unless you read the book and I'm not one for spoilers so I'll just say go read it and enjoy. It was an emotional journey