Windrush 75 – Books You Should Read

With the 75th anniversary of Windrush taking place on June 22nd 2023, Words of Colour wanted to share some visual, audio and literary recommendations for you to learn more about the Windrush community, what life was like at that time and how their descendants have been impacted by their journey.

Book recommendations 📚

The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon
“Chronicling post-war Caribbean migration to Britain, the novel features a cast of migrants striving to establish their lives in London and has been hailed for its use of creolized language, social commentary and modernist style.”

Twenty-Eight Pounds Ten Shillings by By Tony Fairweather
“This powerful narrative reveals what happened on board the HMT Empire Windrush, which was packed with young, excited people who had never before left their parents, their parishes – let alone their islands. In the course of the memorable two-week voyage there were parties, friendships made and broken, fights, gambling, racism, sex – and discussions of God and love”

Small Island By Andrea Levy
“Told in four voices, Small Island is a courageous novel of tender emotion and sparkling wit, of crossings taken and passages lost, of shattering compassion and of reckless optimism in the face of insurmountable barriers—in short, an encapsulation of the immigrant’s life.”

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