If I Survive You – Jonathan Escoffery

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A series of linked stories about a Jamaican family in Miami, centered around younger son Trelawny and his determination to survive racism, financial woes and Hurricane Andrew.

● I am privileged in that I have generally always had a pretty strong sense of belonging. Whether it has been a new town, a new job or something else entirely I can nearly always guarantee that I’ll soon enough feel at ease and that I’m with my people.  

If I Survive You is a masterclass in what it’s like for someone when that sense of belonging is hard to reach and the heartbreaking reasons for not necessarily achieving it. The author did a great job at bringing us along with Trelawny and his experiences felt raw and uncomfortable, as they should. – Suzy

‘Are we Black?’ you ask your mother.
‘Chuh. I was never asked such stupidness before coming to this country. If someone asks you,’ she says, ‘tell them you’re a little of this and a little of that.’

● This book was touted as linked short stories which, to be honest, put me off it from the outset. However, I was proved wrong in my estimations as I was immediately drawn to Trelawny, his life, wry sense of the humour and the weird and wonderful situations he got himself into. I liked the way he analysed situations and people, including himself.

There was never a dull moment in these stories, which did not feel like short stories, it seemed like a novel with each chapter focusing on a new character. Each of them offered a new perspective about acceptance, community, displacement and battling. Some stories are very funny, albeit heartbreaking. In the end I loved it and would recommend it widely. – Rachel

Published 2022
MCD
260 pages