NEVER FAR FROM NOWHERE is the story of two sisters, Olive and Vivien, born in London to Jamaican parents and brought up on a council estate. They g...
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reviews
Jul 17, 2010
Charlotte
rated it: 
Never Far From Nowhere
I have just inaugurated a new goodreads bookshelf, abandoned. I got to page 90 and decided that that was enough.
It’s the story of two sisters, one slightly darker skinned, and the choices they make, how they fight to be accepted. The language put me off from the very start. I suppose it could be called realistic, but I just found it downright depressing. A little foul language will take you a long way, but here you never seem to get beyond it. Never More...
I have just inaugurated a new goodreads bookshelf, abandoned. I got to page 90 and decided that that was enough.
It’s the story of two sisters, one slightly darker skinned, and the choices they make, how they fight to be accepted. The language put me off from the very start. I suppose it could be called realistic, but I just found it downright depressing. A little foul language will take you a long way, but here you never seem to get beyond it. Never More...
Nov 07, 2011
Kiwiflora
rated it: 
This is Andrea Levy's second book, written way back in 1996 and before the success of 'Small Island'. The themes are very similar - immigrants from Jamaica trying to find their feet in an alien society, and yet also trying to maintain their own cultural identity amidst prejudice and the struggle to make a living. This very insightful novel is set in 1970s London on a council estate, and revolves around the lives of two teenage sisters, Olive and Vivien. The girls are first generation English-bor
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Aug 06, 2011
Jayne
rated it:
There are many books out there described as 'coming of age' novels, but of all the ones I have read this does the best job of conjuring up that feeling of anticipation and slight tinge of danger as you approach adulthood. It took me back to my teens - hanging out at the youth club, going to rough pubs. Except that the events in this book are that bit rougher, and the streets that bit meaner.
Following two sisters, the daughters of Jamaican immigrants, as they grow up on a London counci More...
Following two sisters, the daughters of Jamaican immigrants, as they grow up on a London counci More...
Aug 06, 2011
Karina
rated it:
Definitely nowhere as good a read as "Small Island" was. The book examines the very different experiences of two British sisters born to Jamaican parents and living in London in the 1950's and 60's. The chapters alternate between the voices of the two, as they describe London from their unique point of view.Racism, the effect of ones attitude on ones success, the definition of success and the impact of personal choices are key issues in this novel. Some may find the alternating voice t
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Apr 20, 2011
Sati
rated it: 
Having been a big fan of Small Island I thought I would try some other books by the same author. I read this in a day and it did keep my attention but did feel like it was a bit rushed in places. The story of 2 sisters brought up in the same environment but with very different experiences based on skin colour was interesting and certainly the description of starting University and it being a big change from home rang true. I did feel like the parents story could have been fleshed out a littl
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Oct 22, 2010
Amy
rated it: 
Well, I read it in a day and a half- (have temporarily put "Hedgehog" down) I don't know if that's any real indication of how much I liked it, but it was a page turner. I really liked Levy's language, which was very sharp and the structure of the book itself was really reflective of what I think Levy was trying to accomplish. One tale of two sisters, a coin with two very different faces and the chapters: Olive, Vivien, Olive, Vivien; really reflected that. The story of how these two
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Aug 03, 2010
Francesca
rated it:
Read all of it on plane journey home and thought it was great! I did find the language pretty rough at times, but I found it very realistic, particularly some of the characters and descriptions of London, the story very readable and the part about when she went to art college really reminded me of starting university!!
Jul 07, 2010
I think I was somewhat spoilt by how wonderful 'Small Island' is! I am not enjoying 'Never Far From Nowhere' anywhere near as much so far. It's not that the book is bad, it's just that I found 'Small Island' so wonderful and so accomplished. I will continue and see how it goes.
Jul 28, 2011
Dealt with two very likeable but different sisters, there relationship with each other and there Mum. Also deals with the prejudices that they faced. Andrea Levy writes well. (Still prefer Fruit of the Lemon!)
Aug 11, 2011
Beccy
rated it:
There were parts of this book I enjoyed and got into, but overall didn't find it that satisfying a read. I felt there was something missing. The bits that stood out: when Vivien goes to college and her boyfriend from back home no longer 'fits', and the depressing trajectory of Olive's life that seems without hope of change.
Aug 12, 2011
(Different cover on my edition) Powerful, absorbing, only sorry I didn't read it when I bought it maybe 5 years ago ...
Mar 01, 2010
Helen
rated it:
Quite a gritty read, but to me it lacked story. I wasn't at all attached to the characters
Apr 12, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
seems a bit confused at times but essentially a brave and honest account of life of the time.
Aug 23, 2010
Kimi
rated it:
andrea levy is long listed for the booker this year. this book is one of her early ones. it is very easy to read, if you're in that sort of mood: two sisters, born to jamaican parents, growing up in london, early 70s. one is darker than the other, and so has very different experiences from her lighter sister. levy never tries to answer any questions, which is refreshing.
i've also read 'a small island'. very strong writer.
i've also read 'a small island'. very strong writer.
May 08, 2008
Angela
rated it:
Very intense. You learn quite a lot about the situation/problems of the 1950s' immigrants to England.
It's hard though to find a character to identify yourself with since there are two perspectives from which the story is told.
It's hard though to find a character to identify yourself with since there are two perspectives from which the story is told.
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