I come from a very big family from every economic background. Some of the streets I talk about, I've actually walked on because I have family from there. Jamaica has so many contradictions. Marlon James backgroundbigcontradiction Change image and share on social
Because homophobia is still largely driven by the church, it's legitimised. It's also tied to sexism, because those two are never far apart. Marlon James churchdrivehomophobia Change image and share on social
If your depiction of loss doesn't make the reader feel loss, then you didn't depict it right. Marlon James depictdepictionfeel Change image and share on social
In creative writing, I teach that characters arise out of our need for them. Marlon James arisecharactercreative Change image and share on social
I wanted a picture of Jamaica that isn't in books, and certainly not in novels. Marlon James bookjamaicanovel Change image and share on social
I find the violence in PG13 movies unbearable. This kid will never run home, never have another birthday. His death is slow, nightmarish. And you have to explore the consequences - the people who live on with this death. Marlon James birthdayconsequencedeath share on social
As a writer of colour, you have to be victim or perpetrator. Marlon James colourperpetratorvictim Change image and share on social
Pretty much everything I've written is a mix of excitement and fear. Marlon James excitementfearhave Change image and share on social
If reggae comes from another country, you can have the relationship to reggae that I have to rock. But it's something I grew up with. It's probably something I appreciate more now. In the '80s, I was all about New Wave and synth pop - New Order and Depeche Mode and Eurythmics and Michael Jackson and tons and tons and tons of Prince. Marlon James 80scountrydepeche share on social
I'd spent seven years in an all-boys school: 2,000 adolescents in the same khaki uniforms striking hunting poses, stalking lunchrooms, classrooms, changing rooms, looking for boys who didn't fit in. Marlon James 000adolescentboy Change image and share on social