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A Brief History of Seven Killings
704 pages, 2015
Winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize for Fiction From acclaimed author Marlon James comes a masterfully written novel that explores the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in the late 1970s. Just before the Jamaican general election and two days before Bob Marley was to play the Smile Jamaica Concert, gunmen stormed his house with machine guns blazing.
The attack nearly killed him, his wife, and his manager, and injured several others. A few days later, he would perform at the free concert as scheduled, but he left the country the next day—and wouldn’t return for two years. Deftly spanning decades and continents, Marlon James’s characters range from assassins to journalists to drug dealers—even ghosts.
Marlon James has created a vast array of characters in A Brief History of Seven Killings, each with their own unique voice and perspective. This book encourages readers to explore the complexity of human nature and the different ways people react to their circumstances.
The book is set in Jamaica during a turbulent time in the country's history. By reading this book, you'll get a deeper understanding of the political and social climate of the time, and how it influenced the lives of the characters.
Marlon James uses language in a way that is both powerful and evocative. He masterfully blends English, Patois, and even a bit of Spanish to create a rich linguistic tapestry. This book will make you appreciate the power of language and how it can be used to tell a compelling story.
A Brief History of Seven Killings is not for the faint-hearted. It explores themes of violence, power, and corruption in a raw and unflinching way. If you're interested in books that don't shy away from difficult topics, this one is definitely worth checking out.
The book delves into the impact of cultural identity on individuals and society. It shows how our cultural background can shape our actions, beliefs, and relationships. By reading this book, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural identity and its impact on our lives.
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A Brief History of Seven Killings is a monumental achievement, a novel that transports the reader into a world so fully imagined that it's hard to believe it's a work of fiction.
Michiko Kakutani - Literary CriticMarlon James' novel is a thrilling, ambitious whirlwind of a novel that doesn't let up until the very end.
Lee Child - Thriller NovelistA Brief History of Seven Killings is a tour de force, a brilliant, breathtaking display of storytelling that will leave you in awe.
Zadie Smith - Contemporary NovelistMarlon James' novel is a masterwork, a book that is as powerful as it is profound.
Salman Rushdie - Magic Realism WriterA Brief History of Seven Killings is a novel that is as terrifying as it is captivating, a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Stephen King - Horror Fiction Author