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mary_juleyre's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Racial slurs
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Lonely Londoners, first published in 1956, is significant as the first novel to explore the experience of the first generation of Caribbean migrants to the United Kingdom, the so-called Windrush generation. It opens with Moses, a Trinidadian who has been in the UK for several years, meeting newly arrived Henry, a friend of a friend, whom he has offered to help get settled. What follows isn’t a strictly chronological narrative but more a series of vignettes involving a group of “boys”, other migrants mainly from the Caribbean who are known to Moses.
One of the things that stood out to me was the nature of the racism these men encountered. It wasn’t - at least mostly - blatant and overt. Rather it was subtle, hidden behind a polite facade. But the job or room had frequently just been taken, or the actual wage was mysteriously much lower than advertised, or the rent higher than advertised whenever a Caribbean man applied. The issue of race and skin colour complicated romantic relationships, with the “boys” sometimes wanting to be with a white woman in the belief it showed they were accepted in English society, while white women were sometimes after a fetishised experience rather than a genuine relationship. The attitude and behaviour of the “boys” towards women was far from enlightened or exemplary. It made for some uncomfortable reading and somewhat countered the sympathy I had for them regarding the racism they encountered, even though I realise such attitudes were common at the time. Despite this they were mostly likeable characters whom it was easy to root for as they struggled to make their way in England while recognising the odds of upward mobility were low and missing their homelands. The support they offered and found in each other warmed my heart as well as theirs. The book was easy and straightforward to read. The use of Caribbean and Creolised English which was unusual at the time is far more common now and unlikely to be a barrier to a modern reader. Although some of the slang was unfamiliar it was easy to figure out via context with a quick Google search sometimes for confirmation. This was a classic I’m pleased to have discovered and read.
One of the things that stood out to me was the nature of the racism these men encountered. It wasn’t - at least mostly - blatant and overt. Rather it was subtle, hidden behind a polite facade. But the job or room had frequently just been taken, or the actual wage was mysteriously much lower than advertised, or the rent higher than advertised whenever a Caribbean man applied. The issue of race and skin colour complicated romantic relationships, with the “boys” sometimes wanting to be with a white woman in the belief it showed they were accepted in English society, while white women were sometimes after a fetishised experience rather than a genuine relationship. The attitude and behaviour of the “boys” towards women was far from enlightened or exemplary. It made for some uncomfortable reading and somewhat countered the sympathy I had for them regarding the racism they encountered, even though I realise such attitudes were common at the time. Despite this they were mostly likeable characters whom it was easy to root for as they struggled to make their way in England while recognising the odds of upward mobility were low and missing their homelands. The support they offered and found in each other warmed my heart as well as theirs. The book was easy and straightforward to read. The use of Caribbean and Creolised English which was unusual at the time is far more common now and unlikely to be a barrier to a modern reader. Although some of the slang was unfamiliar it was easy to figure out via context with a quick Google search sometimes for confirmation. This was a classic I’m pleased to have discovered and read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse
morgangd's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.5
Specific yet relatable, historic yet modern, it feels like a story only for Moses, a man at the heart of his community of beautifully realised flawed people (not great for women, shockingly for a 1950s novel), yet a story for anyone who's experienced this beautiful, living, lonely city.
"He could see a great aimlessness, a great restless, swaying movement that leaving you standing in the same spot."
"He could see a great aimlessness, a great restless, swaying movement that leaving you standing in the same spot."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
jenmachin_'s review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Really liked the perspective into the wind rush generation and their experience in post war Britain. However, I found it pretty misogynistic, women are completely objectified and have no voice in the book. There is absolutely no perspective from Caribbean women and their experience. I also felt like it played into racist stereotypes slightly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
emmazan's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
2.75
read for class. World Literature Written in English (fall 21)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
tina94's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The final few pages about the group coming together and their dynamics was beautiful, made me like the book much more than I would have without it. Nasta's introduction also made me appreciate it more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Drug use, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Minor: Sexual content
camillethecaterpillar's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Misogyny