The Islands

Stories

The Islands
Dionne Irving
RRP:
NZ$ 55.00
Our Price:
NZ$ 44.00
Paperback
h209 x 139mm - 272pg
1 Nov 2022 US
International import eta 7-19 days
9781646220663
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
Powerful stories that explore the legacy of colonialism, and issues of race, immigration, sexual discrimination, and class in the lives of Jamaican women across London, Panama, France, Jamaica, Florida and moreThe Islands follows the lives of Jamaican women-immigrants or thedescendants of immigrants-who have relocated all over the world to escape the ghosts of colonialism on what they call the Island. Set in the United States, Jamaica, and Europe, these international stories examine the lives of an uncertain and unsettled cast of characters. In one story, a woman and her husband impulsively leave San Francisco and move to Florida with wild dreams of American reinvention only to unearth the cracks in their marriage. In another, the only Jamaican mother-who is also a touring comedienne-at a prep school feels pressure to volunteer in the school' s International Day. Meanwhile, in a third story, a travel writer finally connects with the mother who once abandoned her. Set in locations and times ranging from 1950s London to 1960s Panama to modern-day New Jersey, Dionne Irving reveals the intricacies of immigration and assimilation in this debut, establishing a new and unforgettable voice in Caribbean-American literature. Restless, displaced, and disconnected, these characters try to ground themselves-to grow where they find themselves planted-in a world in which the tension between what' s said and unsaid can bend the soul.
A Millions Most Anticipated Book of the Year "In this assured collection, Canadian writer Irving follows the threads of colonialism, exile, and immigration throughout the 20th and 21st centuries . . . The international range and scope of her collection give it breadth and freshness . . . Her prose is smooth and unfussy. " -Kirkus Reviews "[A] penetrating collection . . . In lucid prose, Irving depicts her characters' chilly shocks over unexpected gaps in intimacy with their loved ones as they work to fit into non-immigrant Black spaces, making for stories that are both class-conscious and richly atmospheric. Irving' s inviting combination of subjects and style heralds a welcome new voice. " -Publishers Weekly "Dionne Irving' s groundbreaking debut collection is as insightful as it is unflinching. At times humorous and at times heartbreaking, The Islands illuminates the complex history and current condition of the far-flung Jamaican diaspora, bringing it to the page as it' s never before been seen. Cultures collide between and within households, between and within characters, making for compelling stories about identity and belonging. An unforgettable read and a balm for anyone still searching for home. " -Jonathon Escoffery, author of If I Survive You "The stories in The Islands are darkly comic, raw, and boldly propulsive. Irving is attentive to the inner landscapes of the women who leave the Island in search of a place where they can be distinctly themselves, unmediated by the legacies of colonialism. The Islands is a radiant, at times surreal, and complex meditation on identity and the tragic absurdity of the search for home. " -Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi, author of Savage Tongues "By turns mordant and poignant, Dionne Irving' s The Islands is a deeply moving exploration of diaspora. Her dazzling cast of characters search for home and belonging. Incisive and impressive. " -Vanessa Hua, author of Forbidden City
DIONNE IRVING is originally from Toronto, Ontario. Her work has appeared in Story, Boulevard, LitHub, Missouri Review, and New Delta Review, among other journals and magazines. Her first novel Quint came out in the fall of 2021. She currently teaches in the Creative Writing Program and the Initiative on Race and Resilience at the University of Notre Dame, and lives in Indiana with her husband and son.
Status: Indent title, imported to order
ISBN-13: 9781646220663
Published: 1 Nov 2022
Published In: United States
Imprint: Catapult
Publisher: Catapult
Format: Paperback
Height: 209mm
Width: 139mm
Pages: 272

In stock - for items in stock we aim to dispatch the next business day. For delivery in NZ allow 2-5 business days, with rural taking a wee bit longer.

Locally sourced in NZ - stock comes from a NZ supplier with an approximate delivery of 7-15 business days.

International Imports - stock is imported into NZ, depending on air or sea shipping option from the international supplier stock can take 10-30 working days to arrive into NZ. 

Pre-order Titles - delivery will vary depending on where the title is published, if local stock is available in NZ then 5-7 business days, for international imports it can be 10-30 business days. In all cases we will access the quickest supply option.

Delivery Packaging - we ship all items in cardboard sleeves or by box with either packing paper or corn starch chips. (We avoid using plastics bubble bags)

Tracking - Orders are delivered by track and trace courier and are fully insured, tracking information will be sent by email once dispatched.

View our full Order & Delivery information