Reviews

The Same Earth by Kei Miller

jada's review against another edition

4.0

it would be an easy five stars if the ending wasnt so mid
i liked the witty lines and writing style, reminded me of so many other authors at once but better since it was much more relatable

booksunravel's review

medium-paced

4.0

bukolayemi's review

funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Heavily character driven novel set in the small village of Watersgate, Jamaica. 

‘Imelda Agnes Richardson learned something important on the morning if 29 September 1983: she found out that things could change overnight. On that morning she walked out of Watersgate, a single suitcase dragging behind her …’

The book starts with Imelda leaving Watersgate but she did return at a later date. We go back in time to learn that when Imelda was born, her father refused to bury her umbilical cord in the land, refused to tether her to the land even though this was what was done for every new born in the village. 

Imelda travels to England and discovers that “Inside almost every immigrant there are two impulses - the impulse to shout, and the impulse to be silent. The second is by far the stronger impulse, for at some point almost every day, the immigrant is afraid of speaking. She is afraid that the sound of her voice will be a loud banner confirming to everyone else her deep fear that she does not belong.  Ironically, the impulse to shout comes from the same reason, for the immigrant will want to hear in her voice proof that she belongs somewhere else, the melodious evidence of a nation that accepts her.”

We read about many other different characters and through them explore themes like identity and belonging, religion and spirituality, community living, race and colourism.

The writing style is brilliant, funny and engaging. Kei Miller uses Bible stories and myths in the mix. This is one to enjoy over and over again.

idah_mrashui's review

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

joanzoya's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jeankwemoi's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.5

cathyannwill's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

1002didi's review

challenging emotional funny mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

themillennialjareads's review against another edition

5.0

Forever Preaching the Gospel of Kei Miller

rakesh_pedram's review against another edition

5.0

I liked his style of weaving a story through disjointed anecdotes that make a whole. Steeped in Jamaican culture and beliefs it was fun learning through the story.