From the creation of the world’s first independent black republic of Haiti in the early 19th century to the ungovernable runaway slave communities of Maroons in Jamaica to the fierce struggles to establish trade unions in 1930s Trinidad, rebellion is embedded in the fabric of Caribbean history. No surprise, then, that subversion shimmers on the pages of the literature from the region — whether in terms of language, form or content. Come and discover some of these authors as four writers of Jamaican heritage share their favourite Caribbean revolutionaries.
Part of Writers of the World Unite festival, produced with Little Atoms and Waterstones Piccadilly. Full information and tickets here: writersoftheworldfest.co.uk
Mervyn Morris is Poet Laureate of Jamaica. From 1966 until 2002 he was on the staff of the University of the West Indies. His books of poems include The Pond, Shadowboxing, Examination Centre, On Holy Week and I been there, sort of: New and Selected. Morris’ latest book, is Peelin Orange: Collected Poems.
Hannah Lowe’s first poetry collection Chick (Bloodaxe, 2013) won the Michael Murphy Memorial Award for Best First Collection and was shortlisted for the Forward, Aldeburgh and Seamus Heaney Best First Collection Prizes. Her memoir is Long Time No See (Periscope, 2015), and her latest poetry collection is Chan (Bloodaxe, 2016). @hannahlowepoet
Linton Kwesi Johnson was born in 1952 in Chapelton, Clarendon, Jamaica. He came to London in 1963. He is the first black poet to have his work included in Penguin’s Modern Classics series, under the title Mi Revalueshanary Fren: Selected Poems. In 2003 Johnson was bestowed with an honorary fellowship from Goldsmiths College.
Leone Ross writes magic realism, horror fiction, erotica and psychological drama. She has published two critically praised novels, All The Blood Is Red and Orange Laughter, which was shortlisted for the UK Orange Prize. Her short story collection, Come Let Us Sing Anyway, will be published in June 2017. @leoneross
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