“You do not know me yet. My son Thomas, who is publishing this book, tells me, it is customary at this place in a narrative to give the reader a little taste of the story that is to follow.”
The Long Song by Andrea Levy is a historical novel set in 19th-century Jamaica during the final years of slavery and the early post-emancipation period. The story is narrated by July, an elderly woman recounting her life as an enslaved person and later a free woman under British colonial rule.
Early Life on the Plantation
July is born on the Amity sugar plantation to Kitty, an enslaved field worker, and the white overseer, Tam Dewar. As a child, she is taken from her mother to serve as a house slave for Caroline Mortimer, the sister of the plantation owner. July endures cruelty but also learns to navigate the complexities of power.
The Baptist War and Its Aftermath
The 1831 Baptist War (a slave rebellion) disrupts life on the plantation. Though the rebellion is brutally suppressed, it accelerates the abolition of slavery in Jamaica. July witnesses the chaos and violence, including the death of her mother, Kitty, who is hanged for her involvement.
Life After Emancipation
After slavery is abolished in 1834, July remains on the plantation as an apprentice, still bound to labor. She forms a complicated relationship with Robert Goodwin, the new overseer, who initially presents himself as progressive but later enforces harsh conditions. July bears his child, Emily, but their relationship deteriorates as Goodwin’s cruelty grows.
Later Years and Reflections
In her old age, July reflects on her life with wit and resilience. She recounts her struggles, losses, and small victories, including her eventual freedom and the bittersweet relationship with her daughter, Emily. The novel ends with July asserting her voice and reclaiming her story.
Key Ideas
- The brutality of slavery and the hypocrisy of colonial rule.
- The resilience and agency of enslaved people in shaping their own narratives.
- The complexities of racial and social hierarchies in post-emancipation Jamaica.
- The power of storytelling as resistance and survival.
- The lingering effects of oppression even after legal freedom is granted.
Who should read this book?
- Readers interested in historical fiction about slavery and colonialism.
- Those who appreciate strong, witty narrators and complex character studies.
- Fans of postcolonial literature and narratives of resistance.