What do you think?
Rate this book
A Million Aunties
American-born artist Chris is forced to reconsider his conception of family during a visit to his mother’s Caribbean homeland.
"A Million Aunties is an elegantly written and emotionally engrossing work of fiction."
--Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize–winning author of Girl, Woman, Other
"A Million Aunties gives us the stories of an unlikely cross-world community brought together by anguish, loss, difference, the healing gifts of art, and above all, the loves of women. Under her deceptively revealing title, Alecia McKenzie recreates Jamaica’s enduring traditions in fresh and illuminating ways that make this one of the most avant-garde fictions I have read in a long time."
--Curdella Forbes, author of A Tall History of Sugar
After a personal tragedy upends his world, American-born artist Chris travels to his mother’s homeland in the Caribbean hoping to find some peace and tranquility. He plans to spend his time painting in solitude and coming to terms with his recent loss and his fractured relationship with his father. Instead, he discovers a new extended and complicated “family,” with their own startling stories, including a love triangle. The people he meets help him to heal, even as he supports them in unexpected ways, through his art.
Told from different points of view, this is a compelling novel about unlikely love, friendship, and community, with several surprises along the way. The story takes place against the backdrop of rural Jamaica, New York City, and Paris, France.
"A Million Aunties is an elegantly written and emotionally engrossing work of fiction."
--Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize–winning author of Girl, Woman, Other
"A Million Aunties gives us the stories of an unlikely cross-world community brought together by anguish, loss, difference, the healing gifts of art, and above all, the loves of women. Under her deceptively revealing title, Alecia McKenzie recreates Jamaica’s enduring traditions in fresh and illuminating ways that make this one of the most avant-garde fictions I have read in a long time."
--Curdella Forbes, author of A Tall History of Sugar
After a personal tragedy upends his world, American-born artist Chris travels to his mother’s homeland in the Caribbean hoping to find some peace and tranquility. He plans to spend his time painting in solitude and coming to terms with his recent loss and his fractured relationship with his father. Instead, he discovers a new extended and complicated “family,” with their own startling stories, including a love triangle. The people he meets help him to heal, even as he supports them in unexpected ways, through his art.
Told from different points of view, this is a compelling novel about unlikely love, friendship, and community, with several surprises along the way. The story takes place against the backdrop of rural Jamaica, New York City, and Paris, France.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 2020
57 people are currently reading
1347 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
October 5, 2020
I am a fan of a book with a relatable title and I think that is one of the reasons I fell for this book. Growing up in the Caribbean I can definitely say I have a “Million Aunties”. Aunties aren’t just people who are your relatives, they are anyone older than you that you have a lot of respect for and who shows up for you when you need them.
In Alecia McKenzies’s A Million Aunties we meet Chris who is an artist traveling to Jamaica for the first time as an adult. Chris mother is from Jamaica, but he did visit often, after a traumatic experience Chris’s friend and art dealer Stephen, encouraged him to visit Jamaica to recuperate, paint, and relax. Chris ends up visiting and staying with Stephen’s Aunt who takes him around the village, introduces him to everyone, after a week Chris finds himself enamoured with the villagers and their lives. Chris also visits his Mother’s childhood home, meets his uncle and is given a look into his family history. It is while he is getting use to the simplicity of village life that is he urgently called back to America to handle a difficult situation.
Stephen saw how having his Aunty host Chris led to him healing. He formed the idea of turning his Aunty’s home into a bed and breakfast for artists in need of a fresh perspective. While Stephen’s Aunty is open to the idea, it will take a lot of work, time and energy. Is the village and villagers ready to open their doors to new guest every month?
McKenzie pens a story of friendship, family and community. These themes stood out so strongly for me. I felt the author did a great job of showing the reader what real community looks like and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is told from numerous perspectives but the message of community and love remains the same.
I really enjoyed the parts of the book that was set in Jamaica, those moments for me stood out strongly. I felt the characters and setting strongly during those moments. I did feel like some characters were a bit under-developed and that the book wrapped up a prematurely but overall I did enjoy the read.
I received an early ARC, looking forward to reading the final work.
In Alecia McKenzies’s A Million Aunties we meet Chris who is an artist traveling to Jamaica for the first time as an adult. Chris mother is from Jamaica, but he did visit often, after a traumatic experience Chris’s friend and art dealer Stephen, encouraged him to visit Jamaica to recuperate, paint, and relax. Chris ends up visiting and staying with Stephen’s Aunt who takes him around the village, introduces him to everyone, after a week Chris finds himself enamoured with the villagers and their lives. Chris also visits his Mother’s childhood home, meets his uncle and is given a look into his family history. It is while he is getting use to the simplicity of village life that is he urgently called back to America to handle a difficult situation.
Stephen saw how having his Aunty host Chris led to him healing. He formed the idea of turning his Aunty’s home into a bed and breakfast for artists in need of a fresh perspective. While Stephen’s Aunty is open to the idea, it will take a lot of work, time and energy. Is the village and villagers ready to open their doors to new guest every month?
McKenzie pens a story of friendship, family and community. These themes stood out so strongly for me. I felt the author did a great job of showing the reader what real community looks like and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is told from numerous perspectives but the message of community and love remains the same.
I really enjoyed the parts of the book that was set in Jamaica, those moments for me stood out strongly. I felt the characters and setting strongly during those moments. I did feel like some characters were a bit under-developed and that the book wrapped up a prematurely but overall I did enjoy the read.
I received an early ARC, looking forward to reading the final work.
December 15, 2022
3. 5 Stars rounded up because this was a book I needed right now
"lose a mother, gain a million aunties" is the maxim of Alecia McKenzie's latest novel.
The inhabitants of Port Segovia, a fictional town in Jamaica, are strong and generous. They live with natural disasters and personal tragedies, and they find ways to keep on living. Those who have, share with those who have less. McKenzie showcases the role that aunties and uncles play in the Caribbean, whether they are blood relations or not; and shows that family and community can be synonymous.
Each chapter in the novel is narrated by a different character, so I get to know this character more deeply and to see some of the others through different eyes. The novel’s chapters alternate between first- and third-person narration. The elders are awarded the first person narration and provide a historical anchor for the present narrative. Though various chapters of this novel are set in New York City, Alabama, and Paris, Port Segovia is its heart.
I fall in love with all of these characters and want more. There is a large cast of characters and a lot of narrative threads in this slim 196 page novel. Sometimes I have to go back and search for a thread because I drop it in the busyness of the many story lines. I appreciate the layers McKenzie creates for the characters and their stories and wish for another 196 pages.
McKenzie touches on many topics including racism, mental illness, and violence against women. She presents them in a matter of fact way deftly woven into her narrative.
“And clear through the quietness, I hear Granny talking to me: ‘I didn’t raise you for man to come punch you. Take your backside out of there.’ ”
When Stephen as a child makes fun of Miss Pretty, Miss Della says, “Don’t ever let me see you make fun of people like Miss Pretty! . . .You never know what can happen to you in this life!”
“He avoiding looking at me because he know that is not how I raise him. And though I was laughing a little while ago, I was sad to realize that the dark space in him that I think was gone is still there. But maybe I have one too, if I look deep enough.”
And then there's art and nature. McKenzie shows their power to heal, for both creators and experiencers.
Some storylines are left unresolved. Perhaps McKenzie is leaving it up to me to imagine scenarios or perhaps she is conveying that we don’t always know what will happen in life.
A Million Aunties is an intimate tale of love, loss, family, community, beauty and survival. It's told with a light touch and a sweetness that is satisfying for me right now.
"lose a mother, gain a million aunties" is the maxim of Alecia McKenzie's latest novel.
The inhabitants of Port Segovia, a fictional town in Jamaica, are strong and generous. They live with natural disasters and personal tragedies, and they find ways to keep on living. Those who have, share with those who have less. McKenzie showcases the role that aunties and uncles play in the Caribbean, whether they are blood relations or not; and shows that family and community can be synonymous.
Each chapter in the novel is narrated by a different character, so I get to know this character more deeply and to see some of the others through different eyes. The novel’s chapters alternate between first- and third-person narration. The elders are awarded the first person narration and provide a historical anchor for the present narrative. Though various chapters of this novel are set in New York City, Alabama, and Paris, Port Segovia is its heart.
I fall in love with all of these characters and want more. There is a large cast of characters and a lot of narrative threads in this slim 196 page novel. Sometimes I have to go back and search for a thread because I drop it in the busyness of the many story lines. I appreciate the layers McKenzie creates for the characters and their stories and wish for another 196 pages.
McKenzie touches on many topics including racism, mental illness, and violence against women. She presents them in a matter of fact way deftly woven into her narrative.
“And clear through the quietness, I hear Granny talking to me: ‘I didn’t raise you for man to come punch you. Take your backside out of there.’ ”
When Stephen as a child makes fun of Miss Pretty, Miss Della says, “Don’t ever let me see you make fun of people like Miss Pretty! . . .You never know what can happen to you in this life!”
“He avoiding looking at me because he know that is not how I raise him. And though I was laughing a little while ago, I was sad to realize that the dark space in him that I think was gone is still there. But maybe I have one too, if I look deep enough.”
And then there's art and nature. McKenzie shows their power to heal, for both creators and experiencers.
Some storylines are left unresolved. Perhaps McKenzie is leaving it up to me to imagine scenarios or perhaps she is conveying that we don’t always know what will happen in life.
A Million Aunties is an intimate tale of love, loss, family, community, beauty and survival. It's told with a light touch and a sweetness that is satisfying for me right now.
December 15, 2020
I loved this book up until part 3... i wanted more :(
August 21, 2021
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. That is to say, I wanted this book to be more than what it was. The synopsis on the back promises a book about a man going to Jamaica in a time of grief and discovering an extended family there, and to its credit, it does do that initially. However, the story of this book is not following the grief of this man. In fact he leaves this community about a third of the way through the book, and only come up in passing until the end. If anything this is a book about the ensemble of characters and how they support one another and lean on one another for support.
It is not just that the book was not as advertised, nor is it that it was a plot-light book. I can really get into a book that is character-driven with little-to-no plot. But the issue was that this book really seemed to want to delve into that format and themes of family and support, but it just always shied away. The writing style of the book was pretty repetitive and sometimes simplistic which in and of itself is not bad; this technique can be wielded to great effect) so that it kind of felt like something I would have been assigned to read in a middle school English class which again, is not bad--middleschoolers need engaging books at their reading level to teach them about the world. The issue here is that it was just not done particularly well. Often the writing was something like "He went to X, and saw Y. That reminded him of Z which got him thinking about A, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Last time he saw A they talked about B. He wondered what A would think about X and Y." I can't quite put my finger on it, but it felt very formulaic and basic.
Because of the writing style, I found it difficult to connect with the vast majority of the characters in this book. Their internal thoughts and feelings as well as dialogue with other characters just felt hollow and wooden which limits the effectiveness of a character-driven novel. Also, when new characters were introduced, there was a lot of telling not showing that they were important to main characters. Sometimes character relationships were thoroughly explored to great effect like Stephen and Miss Pretty or towards the end of the book the backstory Auntie Della gives about her ex-boyfriend in her twenties, but these are the exception and not the rule.
Also symbols were introduced and sometimes not executed very well. For example in the beginning you learn that Chris has never been able to paint flowers well, and now he is in Jamaica learning to paint them which is especially significant because his girlfriend had been a gardener before she died. This would be a fantastic way to explore his growth painting flowers as he grapples with his grief, but it is never really explored. Instead it is another thing that is told not shown. In the beginning of his stay he is bad at painting flowers. By the time he leaves, people like his paintings of flowers.
But this book is not totally irredeemable. There were passages that were striking and effective, and I hoped the book would turn around. It just never did for me. I liked Miss Pretty as a character, and I felt like she was fully fleshed out and the symbolism around her was well-executed and well-explored. I also liked the use of Jamaican dialect in chapters from first-person perspectives. I just think that with a bit more editing and revision, the book could have been something a bit more solid and enjoyable.
It is not just that the book was not as advertised, nor is it that it was a plot-light book. I can really get into a book that is character-driven with little-to-no plot. But the issue was that this book really seemed to want to delve into that format and themes of family and support, but it just always shied away. The writing style of the book was pretty repetitive and sometimes simplistic which in and of itself is not bad; this technique can be wielded to great effect) so that it kind of felt like something I would have been assigned to read in a middle school English class which again, is not bad--middleschoolers need engaging books at their reading level to teach them about the world. The issue here is that it was just not done particularly well. Often the writing was something like "He went to X, and saw Y. That reminded him of Z which got him thinking about A, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Last time he saw A they talked about B. He wondered what A would think about X and Y." I can't quite put my finger on it, but it felt very formulaic and basic.
Because of the writing style, I found it difficult to connect with the vast majority of the characters in this book. Their internal thoughts and feelings as well as dialogue with other characters just felt hollow and wooden which limits the effectiveness of a character-driven novel. Also, when new characters were introduced, there was a lot of telling not showing that they were important to main characters. Sometimes character relationships were thoroughly explored to great effect like Stephen and Miss Pretty or towards the end of the book the backstory Auntie Della gives about her ex-boyfriend in her twenties, but these are the exception and not the rule.
Also symbols were introduced and sometimes not executed very well. For example in the beginning you learn that Chris has never been able to paint flowers well, and now he is in Jamaica learning to paint them which is especially significant because his girlfriend had been a gardener before she died. This would be a fantastic way to explore his growth painting flowers as he grapples with his grief, but it is never really explored. Instead it is another thing that is told not shown. In the beginning of his stay he is bad at painting flowers. By the time he leaves, people like his paintings of flowers.
But this book is not totally irredeemable. There were passages that were striking and effective, and I hoped the book would turn around. It just never did for me. I liked Miss Pretty as a character, and I felt like she was fully fleshed out and the symbolism around her was well-executed and well-explored. I also liked the use of Jamaican dialect in chapters from first-person perspectives. I just think that with a bit more editing and revision, the book could have been something a bit more solid and enjoyable.
June 7, 2021
So I really want to say 2.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half, but the second half just fell flat for me and the ending seemed abrupt and unfinished.
January 31, 2022
A Million Aunties is a story of a loving community, a family-like bond, and a fresh perspective. I listened to the audiobook and the Jamaican accents were a delight to hear. It’s a book that carries a lot of emotion, but felt like a laid-back listen laced with humour. Through her writing, the author herself begins to feel like an auntie. Since my family is Jamaican, I found it really easy to connect with the characters. McKenzie writes them with a rich backstory that is explored with a range of POVs.
While it has themes of culture, grief, and art, the theme that stands out to me the most is the idea of “home” and how a village builds and heals a person. I love the way the author uses the community to soothe the tragedies and traumas of some of the characters, and how this in turn contributes to the development of each character. I’m not sure I’d feel the same way about this book if I were reading a physical copy as the pace is relaxed, but it does make a lovely listen.
While it has themes of culture, grief, and art, the theme that stands out to me the most is the idea of “home” and how a village builds and heals a person. I love the way the author uses the community to soothe the tragedies and traumas of some of the characters, and how this in turn contributes to the development of each character. I’m not sure I’d feel the same way about this book if I were reading a physical copy as the pace is relaxed, but it does make a lovely listen.
November 26, 2020
Alecia McKenzie's A Million Aunties is an absolute delight! It will definitely be on my top-ten list for 2020.
The novel looks at the lives of a diverse, but connected group of people: 2 New York-based artists, an art dealer, many Jamaican Auntie and Uncles, and more. The action moves between New York, Jamaica, and Paris and is a smart mix of the humorous and the sobering. Each chapter is narrated in a different voice, which could be distracting, but isn't—thanks to McKenzie's ability to write characters that are rich and quirky, and who are attentive to one another.
This is another one where I don't want to write a long review for fear of spoilers. Trust me—if you enjoy character-driven, multicultural fiction, you're going to want to get your hands on this book ASAP.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
The novel looks at the lives of a diverse, but connected group of people: 2 New York-based artists, an art dealer, many Jamaican Auntie and Uncles, and more. The action moves between New York, Jamaica, and Paris and is a smart mix of the humorous and the sobering. Each chapter is narrated in a different voice, which could be distracting, but isn't—thanks to McKenzie's ability to write characters that are rich and quirky, and who are attentive to one another.
This is another one where I don't want to write a long review for fear of spoilers. Trust me—if you enjoy character-driven, multicultural fiction, you're going to want to get your hands on this book ASAP.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
March 7, 2023
This novel was far more complexly composed than I expected thanks to insufficient readings I was exposed to, readers not up to the task of discerning what they judged to be so "simple". As a recent guest lecturer a student asked me about the importance of the Jamaican arts, and queer artists specifically, to the creation of a national identity. Toni Morrison opined that Black authors ought not to write in isolation but engage substantially with our visual and performing arts in order to explore with true richness our earthly existence. (A paraphrase from memory but that's how I remember it. :D) Alecia McKenzie is one of the few Jamaican novelists in recent times to explore and engage with that dimension of our lives.
With an effortlessly polyvocal structure McKenzie created a transnational, Black Atlantic tapestry through several different characters, of different genders with a two story, roof-leaking house in the hills of Jamaica as the novel's centre. From the Ivory Coast to France, through Haiti and Jamaica to the USA the author delineated those connections from yard ground in a way that emphasized warmth and love of kinship ties rather than adversity and trauma, even as she showed the exploitative practices and bigoted behaviours that still exist.
All are artists whether painter, wood carver, cook, or dressmaker. All carry death, grief, loss, and abandonment to different degrees and rely on their art and community to help them cope, understand, and recover or sustain some hope and joy in their own lives. I could see the art in my head, I wanted to sit and listen to Alton to talk about pre-Independence Jamaica aaaallll day, I wanted to eat Auntie D food and see that group art exhibition!
I do agree with others that the author ended the story a little strangely for me. An incident's impact seemed underplayed in a way that made me wonder if I had misunderstood what actually happened. However, such hiccups pale before all that McKenzie accomplished before. An author long on my radar, I'm glad I finally made it to this book.
With an effortlessly polyvocal structure McKenzie created a transnational, Black Atlantic tapestry through several different characters, of different genders with a two story, roof-leaking house in the hills of Jamaica as the novel's centre. From the Ivory Coast to France, through Haiti and Jamaica to the USA the author delineated those connections from yard ground in a way that emphasized warmth and love of kinship ties rather than adversity and trauma, even as she showed the exploitative practices and bigoted behaviours that still exist.
All are artists whether painter, wood carver, cook, or dressmaker. All carry death, grief, loss, and abandonment to different degrees and rely on their art and community to help them cope, understand, and recover or sustain some hope and joy in their own lives. I could see the art in my head, I wanted to sit and listen to Alton to talk about pre-Independence Jamaica aaaallll day, I wanted to eat Auntie D food and see that group art exhibition!
I do agree with others that the author ended the story a little strangely for me. An incident's impact seemed underplayed in a way that made me wonder if I had misunderstood what actually happened. However, such hiccups pale before all that McKenzie accomplished before. An author long on my radar, I'm glad I finally made it to this book.
March 23, 2021
I really didn't want this book to end because the characters are so interesting and have such surprising back stories. It’s true the author has an understated style as you can see in her other books, so this may not be a novel for readers who like to have everything spelled out and explained. But if you want a great story with unusual settings and fascinating characters that keep you reading, I think you will enjoy it.
November 30, 2020
LOVED IT !!!
I fell in love with how relatable this book was; Aunt Della was my favourite character and I absolutely love how she was developed throughout the book, it’s unconventional for us to see “old persons” depicted in this way and I enjoyed it.
Will there be a follow up book, I’m so eager to find out what happens with Stephen and Felicianne; Aunt Do’s illness, etc
I fell in love with how relatable this book was; Aunt Della was my favourite character and I absolutely love how she was developed throughout the book, it’s unconventional for us to see “old persons” depicted in this way and I enjoyed it.
Will there be a follow up book, I’m so eager to find out what happens with Stephen and Felicianne; Aunt Do’s illness, etc
December 10, 2020
It was a 3.5 read. Here is why ->https://youtu.be/h-wmMh37cC8
April 15, 2024
Didn’t enjoy this one.
January 24, 2025
Another DNF for me🫣
June 21, 2022
4.5 on the blog.
February 10, 2021
The urban dictionary defines “Auntie” as: An adult female who is involved to some extent in a child's life; can be mother's sister but is not necessarily so.
Told from several POVs McKenzie weaves the tale of family that goes beyond blood, and homes that extend beyond birthplaces or where navel strings are buried. We meet a cast of characters linked together by friendship, family or circumstance. What becomes very clear early on is that it truly takes a village to raise a fully functioning human, and despite same this task of growth extends beyond our dependent childish years.
The story spoke to the theme of “home” quite strongly. Being set in Jamaica also made things more enjoyable. I particularly loved all of the food references. I literally stopped mid read to ask my husband where we could go for some salt fish fritters 😅
I’ve always felt that going home fixes everything. I’ve made some of these journeys myself when life was just coming at me and to be honest I’d love to go home now! McKenzie captured that familiar feeling for me, where all is not perfect but just being in a familiar place is security enough. Our characters are by no means “fixed” by the end of the book, but we get the sense that there will always be a place to go back to when they ever become undone.
I liked that Auntie Alecia chose to write this book the way she did. It almost read like self care. You know when you’re having a bad time and you feel like it’s only happening to you, but then you realize that pretty much everyone is struggling too and you feel better about life? That you’re not alone? This book reassured me of that by letting me peer into a few lives of some folk, who like me, are trying to get their lives together or just live through the cards they’re dealt. I would definitely recommend this book for those in reading slumps or feeling in need of some self care. Also, it’s a definite must for my #ReadCaribbean stans.
Told from several POVs McKenzie weaves the tale of family that goes beyond blood, and homes that extend beyond birthplaces or where navel strings are buried. We meet a cast of characters linked together by friendship, family or circumstance. What becomes very clear early on is that it truly takes a village to raise a fully functioning human, and despite same this task of growth extends beyond our dependent childish years.
The story spoke to the theme of “home” quite strongly. Being set in Jamaica also made things more enjoyable. I particularly loved all of the food references. I literally stopped mid read to ask my husband where we could go for some salt fish fritters 😅
I’ve always felt that going home fixes everything. I’ve made some of these journeys myself when life was just coming at me and to be honest I’d love to go home now! McKenzie captured that familiar feeling for me, where all is not perfect but just being in a familiar place is security enough. Our characters are by no means “fixed” by the end of the book, but we get the sense that there will always be a place to go back to when they ever become undone.
I liked that Auntie Alecia chose to write this book the way she did. It almost read like self care. You know when you’re having a bad time and you feel like it’s only happening to you, but then you realize that pretty much everyone is struggling too and you feel better about life? That you’re not alone? This book reassured me of that by letting me peer into a few lives of some folk, who like me, are trying to get their lives together or just live through the cards they’re dealt. I would definitely recommend this book for those in reading slumps or feeling in need of some self care. Also, it’s a definite must for my #ReadCaribbean stans.
December 8, 2020
I read this in a night, literally kept meaning to stop at the end of a chapter & couldn't leave the book alone. So many themes are touched on in this story, I love how art and the rural community experience help so many of the characters make sense of horrific experiences (which are presented frankly and straightforwardly.) I love that already established and found community does that for them & the way that going home, even if not forever can ground and settle the character's heads. The vignettes ring very true, miss Della is a GEM and she had me from before I even started reading, maybe because she has the same name as and a few things in common with my mum. I was fully invested in all of the characters and how apparently disparate stories seem to join in unlikely ways rings very true to how it often feels stories come to bump in Jamaica. Trauma and traumatic experiences are are handled frankly but also respectfully, giving the characters room to process as best they can. Realistic, feel good read.
(Also, Blouse & Skirt covers are GORGEOUS & the type design is a treat for my screen fatigued eyes)
(Also, Blouse & Skirt covers are GORGEOUS & the type design is a treat for my screen fatigued eyes)
August 19, 2022
This book which contains some island flavor was truly a gem. Grief, Artistry, Mental health are a few of themes that are present in this book.
March 21, 2021
(3.5 stars)
My love for Jamaica is synonymous with that of one particular Aunt. As a toddler I became acquainted with that Aunt, and the bond continued to grow well into adulthood, until her unfortunate passing. Alecia McKenzie’s latest offering, stirred up some warm memories. The book’s protagonist, Christopher, isn’t technically related to Miss Della, the woman he travels to Jamaica to spend time with. In fact, neither is the person who connects the two. Christopher is a painter, and his agent, Stephen, was unofficially adopted by Miss Della. As a favour to Christopher, Stephen encourages him to go to Jamaica to find peace of mind after the death of his wife, and possibly some inspiration for his art.
Christopher is the product of a Jamaican mother and African-American father who met and married in Alabama. Jamaicans are scattered across America, but they tend to cluster in specific states; New York and Florida. Choosing Alabama as a starting point for where Christopher’s parents met and married was an interesting choice by McKenzie. Christopher and his parents eventually move to New York City, which is only fitting.
Having alternated between living in Canada and Jamaica over the past four decades, A Million Aunties spoke loudly to me. The spirit and language of Jamaica leapt from the pages of this novel. Knowing the island as intimately as I do, I was transported back to my North Coast family home. Something as simple as McKenzie’s portrayal of the prevalence of stray dogs, brought a smile to my face. Quintessential Jamaica. Interestingly, a news story appeared in the Jamaica Observer recently regarding over 100 strays being relocated to Canada to eager dog lovers.
My greatest gripe with Mckenzie’s narrative approach, is how she opens the novel with Christopher as the focal point, and then abruptly switches to his agent Stephen. Miss Della is featured often but Christopher almost seems to vanish from the story, save for him being mentioned by certain characters.
In summary, A Million Aunties is an exploration of art, family, culture and loss. After four years of being on a self-imposed non-reading sabbatical, this was an enjoyable way to reenter the pastime.
My love for Jamaica is synonymous with that of one particular Aunt. As a toddler I became acquainted with that Aunt, and the bond continued to grow well into adulthood, until her unfortunate passing. Alecia McKenzie’s latest offering, stirred up some warm memories. The book’s protagonist, Christopher, isn’t technically related to Miss Della, the woman he travels to Jamaica to spend time with. In fact, neither is the person who connects the two. Christopher is a painter, and his agent, Stephen, was unofficially adopted by Miss Della. As a favour to Christopher, Stephen encourages him to go to Jamaica to find peace of mind after the death of his wife, and possibly some inspiration for his art.
Christopher is the product of a Jamaican mother and African-American father who met and married in Alabama. Jamaicans are scattered across America, but they tend to cluster in specific states; New York and Florida. Choosing Alabama as a starting point for where Christopher’s parents met and married was an interesting choice by McKenzie. Christopher and his parents eventually move to New York City, which is only fitting.
Having alternated between living in Canada and Jamaica over the past four decades, A Million Aunties spoke loudly to me. The spirit and language of Jamaica leapt from the pages of this novel. Knowing the island as intimately as I do, I was transported back to my North Coast family home. Something as simple as McKenzie’s portrayal of the prevalence of stray dogs, brought a smile to my face. Quintessential Jamaica. Interestingly, a news story appeared in the Jamaica Observer recently regarding over 100 strays being relocated to Canada to eager dog lovers.
My greatest gripe with Mckenzie’s narrative approach, is how she opens the novel with Christopher as the focal point, and then abruptly switches to his agent Stephen. Miss Della is featured often but Christopher almost seems to vanish from the story, save for him being mentioned by certain characters.
In summary, A Million Aunties is an exploration of art, family, culture and loss. After four years of being on a self-imposed non-reading sabbatical, this was an enjoyable way to reenter the pastime.
August 28, 2024
Let me tell you about Alecia McKenzie’s *A Million Aunties*. This book is like a warm hug from your favourite auntie, the one who always knows what to say when you’re down, who fills your belly with good food and your spirit with good vibes. It’s a beautiful reminder of how we build family outside of blood ties, how we heal through community, and how the bonds we create can help us navigate this wild journey called life. McKenzie takes us on a ride that crisscrosses Jamaica, New York, and even Paris, and she does it with a cast of characters who feel like folks we know and love—or need to know and love.
The story follows Chris, a biracial artist from New York, who’s trying to put the pieces of his life back together after losing his wife in a tragic accident. His grief leads him to Jamaica, where he hopes to find some quiet and maybe a little inspiration. But what he ends up finding is a whole crew of aunties—women who, in their own unique ways, help him start to heal. These women, with their wisdom, humour, and life experience, don’t just stitch Chris back together—they remind us all of the power of community and the ways we can be lifted up by those around us.
One of my favorite quotes from the book comes from Chris as he reflects on the love and acceptance he finds in this small Jamaican village: "You learn that family isn’t always the one you’re born into, but sometimes it’s the one you build for yourself, piece by piece, moment by moment."
Ain’t that the truth? So many of us know that feeling—that realization that the people who truly see us, who hold us down, might not be our blood relatives. It’s those aunties who step in when we need mothering, sisterhood, or just a place to lay our burdens down. McKenzie captures this so beautifully, reminding us that our chosen family can be just as powerful, if not more so, than the one we’re born into.
Another line that really struck a chord with me was when Auntie Vera, one of the most endearing characters, drops this gem: "Love is what you do. It’s how you show up for people, how you make space for them to be who they are, no matter what."
Now, if that doesn’t preach, I don’t know what does! Auntie Vera speaks to the core of what this book is about—showing up for each other, making space for each other’s joys and pains, and creating a world where we can all just *be*. Her words remind us that love isn’t always grand gestures; sometimes it’s the small, consistent ways we show up for each other that make all the difference.
McKenzie’s writing is lush and layered, just like the island of Jamaica itself. She doesn’t shy away from the complexities of identity, migration, or the different ways grief shows up in our lives. But she also fills her pages with love, humour, and those little moments that feel like sitting on a porch with your people, sharing stories and laughter as the sun sets. This book is like a quilt made up of so many different patches, each one adding depth and richness to the overall story.
So, if you’re looking for a novel that will wrap you in the warmth of Black womanhood, that will make you think about the aunties who’ve guided you, and that will remind you of the power of community and chosen family, this is the one. It’s a love letter to all the women who’ve shaped us, held us, and loved us fiercely.
The story follows Chris, a biracial artist from New York, who’s trying to put the pieces of his life back together after losing his wife in a tragic accident. His grief leads him to Jamaica, where he hopes to find some quiet and maybe a little inspiration. But what he ends up finding is a whole crew of aunties—women who, in their own unique ways, help him start to heal. These women, with their wisdom, humour, and life experience, don’t just stitch Chris back together—they remind us all of the power of community and the ways we can be lifted up by those around us.
One of my favorite quotes from the book comes from Chris as he reflects on the love and acceptance he finds in this small Jamaican village: "You learn that family isn’t always the one you’re born into, but sometimes it’s the one you build for yourself, piece by piece, moment by moment."
Ain’t that the truth? So many of us know that feeling—that realization that the people who truly see us, who hold us down, might not be our blood relatives. It’s those aunties who step in when we need mothering, sisterhood, or just a place to lay our burdens down. McKenzie captures this so beautifully, reminding us that our chosen family can be just as powerful, if not more so, than the one we’re born into.
Another line that really struck a chord with me was when Auntie Vera, one of the most endearing characters, drops this gem: "Love is what you do. It’s how you show up for people, how you make space for them to be who they are, no matter what."
Now, if that doesn’t preach, I don’t know what does! Auntie Vera speaks to the core of what this book is about—showing up for each other, making space for each other’s joys and pains, and creating a world where we can all just *be*. Her words remind us that love isn’t always grand gestures; sometimes it’s the small, consistent ways we show up for each other that make all the difference.
McKenzie’s writing is lush and layered, just like the island of Jamaica itself. She doesn’t shy away from the complexities of identity, migration, or the different ways grief shows up in our lives. But she also fills her pages with love, humour, and those little moments that feel like sitting on a porch with your people, sharing stories and laughter as the sun sets. This book is like a quilt made up of so many different patches, each one adding depth and richness to the overall story.
So, if you’re looking for a novel that will wrap you in the warmth of Black womanhood, that will make you think about the aunties who’ve guided you, and that will remind you of the power of community and chosen family, this is the one. It’s a love letter to all the women who’ve shaped us, held us, and loved us fiercely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2022
A Million Aunties was a quick and easy read with a message that is relatable to many people in the Caribbean as well as outside. Aunties are not just our relatives. They are women in the community that are respected for their care neighbours and anyone who they may cross paths with.
The book is told from multiple perspectives, each chapter introducing us to a new character. We are first introduced to Chris who has travelled to Jamaica to spend some time painting. He is staying at the home of his agent's Aunt, Auntie Della. Being part of the community and spending time with friends and extended is much needed following a difficult few years in Chris' life. Alongside Chris, Stephen and Auntie Della, a few other notable characters in the book include Feliciane and Miss Pretty.
The character's lives are all very much intertwined. They are part of the art world in New York and I enjoyed this theme tying them together. They are all battling different demons; loss, grief, death, and searching for healing. Eventually they all come together, but I found that the ending was abrupt and didn't bring any sort of closure to anyone's storyline.
Overall a beautiful story that showcases the beauty of Caribbean culture and families.
The book is told from multiple perspectives, each chapter introducing us to a new character. We are first introduced to Chris who has travelled to Jamaica to spend some time painting. He is staying at the home of his agent's Aunt, Auntie Della. Being part of the community and spending time with friends and extended is much needed following a difficult few years in Chris' life. Alongside Chris, Stephen and Auntie Della, a few other notable characters in the book include Feliciane and Miss Pretty.
The character's lives are all very much intertwined. They are part of the art world in New York and I enjoyed this theme tying them together. They are all battling different demons; loss, grief, death, and searching for healing. Eventually they all come together, but I found that the ending was abrupt and didn't bring any sort of closure to anyone's storyline.
Overall a beautiful story that showcases the beauty of Caribbean culture and families.
June 4, 2025
As a Jamaican with a million aunties I really really wanted to love this book. The premise is interesting but feels misleading because only the first 1/3 of the book is actually about that.
Rather than a true story this is a series of character sketches. Some of the characters are more inter-related than others. I think this should have been a full length book which would have given the author more opportunity to fully develop at least some of the characters. The ending felt abrupt - way too much story left to be told.
I actually enjoyed the writing and especially the Jamaican imagery. The patois was well done and several times I chucked at things the characters had said or done.
Even though I was disappointed overall, I did enjoy meeting many of these characters and the flavor of the different settings was well communicated. However, I think too much time was spent on details and characters that were not central to the story and the ending left too many loose ends.
Rather than a true story this is a series of character sketches. Some of the characters are more inter-related than others. I think this should have been a full length book which would have given the author more opportunity to fully develop at least some of the characters. The ending felt abrupt - way too much story left to be told.
I actually enjoyed the writing and especially the Jamaican imagery. The patois was well done and several times I chucked at things the characters had said or done.
Even though I was disappointed overall, I did enjoy meeting many of these characters and the flavor of the different settings was well communicated. However, I think too much time was spent on details and characters that were not central to the story and the ending left too many loose ends.
July 13, 2020
Thanks to #Edelweiss and #AkashicBooks for the opportunity to read and review this book. Pub date 11/17/2020
I enjoyed this story told from several points of view. Christopher travels to Jamaica to paint and try to forget his grief. He lives with Auntie Della and as he heals the stories of the people in his life are told. I loved the characters, Miss Pretty , Vera, Stephen and others. Each tells their story in unique ways. The ARC has many errors, which made reading a bit of a challenge. I'm sure they will be corrected before publication . Recommend
I enjoyed this story told from several points of view. Christopher travels to Jamaica to paint and try to forget his grief. He lives with Auntie Della and as he heals the stories of the people in his life are told. I loved the characters, Miss Pretty , Vera, Stephen and others. Each tells their story in unique ways. The ARC has many errors, which made reading a bit of a challenge. I'm sure they will be corrected before publication . Recommend
February 13, 2021
Not sure why I kept reading this book because there was not much of a plot or story arc. I guess it was the strong character development of the different people that kept my interest. Mainly about Chris and Stephen’s trips to visit their Aunties in their birth country Jamaica and then later a group trip of all the characters to visit Paris during a time of protests and upheaval. At least I learned the difference between a Manet and a Monet :-)
April 12, 2022
I really wanted to like this book but everything came up short for me. I still really don't know what the book was about. It was very confusing to follow. Too many characters with their own stories. Every time I thought i was catching on, something made me confused again. I would not recommend reading this book.
May 9, 2021
Builds like a crescendo, but subtle like a flower. :)
May 31, 2021
I really enjoyed the writing and the storyline but I wanted a bit more from the last couple of chapters in Part three. I felt a lot of things were left unexplained and quickly wrapped up.
May 28, 2022
Oh the feels that this book evoked. Just a story about finding family when and where we are and in our times of need.
December 3, 2020
"I don't know if Miss Pretty really believed that Stephen is her son, but it don't really matter. Like I say, we not here for long and a little kindness don't hurt anybody."
This novel is a web of intertwining characters who may or may not be related by blood, but who become a support system for each other. Some live in Jamaica and some live in New York. Many are artists of one kind or another - painting, drawing, plants, seamstress - or at least supporters of artists. There is the older generation - Miss Della, Miss Vera, Mrs. Pretty, Mr Alston and the younger generation - Chris, Stephen, Feliciane, Jasmine. Many of them have lived through trauma but through their humanity are trying to connect and support each other.
Some characters were given more depth and complexity than others, but ultimately for me the point of the novel was more about how we connect and support others, not a full arc of each character or wrapping things up at the end. It was about the humanity of each character in this web and how they each needed support and kindness and how they each gave back that same support and kindness.
This novel is a web of intertwining characters who may or may not be related by blood, but who become a support system for each other. Some live in Jamaica and some live in New York. Many are artists of one kind or another - painting, drawing, plants, seamstress - or at least supporters of artists. There is the older generation - Miss Della, Miss Vera, Mrs. Pretty, Mr Alston and the younger generation - Chris, Stephen, Feliciane, Jasmine. Many of them have lived through trauma but through their humanity are trying to connect and support each other.
Some characters were given more depth and complexity than others, but ultimately for me the point of the novel was more about how we connect and support others, not a full arc of each character or wrapping things up at the end. It was about the humanity of each character in this web and how they each needed support and kindness and how they each gave back that same support and kindness.
May 16, 2021
I would have really liked to rate this a 3.5/5.
The story was interesting and had some comedic points. I particularly love the portions of the script set in Jamaica. It definately reminded me of some aspects of island life. The characters were ok, I didnt feel connected to any of them in particular. I expected more to be said of Ms Pretty and what really happened to her, also I believed Christopher's time in Jamaica was too short-lived. The story could have been developed better, and the ending was quite abrupt. Nonetheless, I appreciate Alecia McKenzie attempt at displaying island living.
The story was interesting and had some comedic points. I particularly love the portions of the script set in Jamaica. It definately reminded me of some aspects of island life. The characters were ok, I didnt feel connected to any of them in particular. I expected more to be said of Ms Pretty and what really happened to her, also I believed Christopher's time in Jamaica was too short-lived. The story could have been developed better, and the ending was quite abrupt. Nonetheless, I appreciate Alecia McKenzie attempt at displaying island living.
March 12, 2022
A Million Aunties is an engaging book with a cast of people who live in Jamaica or who came from the island and now live elsewhere. There is a lot of art, artists and examination of what it means to be family - relationship by blood or found family. Connection is more profound when it’s based on need and compassion, rather than an accident of birth.
An enjoyable read with characters I’d love to know in real life.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
An enjoyable read with characters I’d love to know in real life.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews