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
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
I'm happy to not know what I think about stuff; I'm happy to change my mind. But it's relatively recently that I've been able to apply that to feelings. I used to like to know what I felt. I didn't want those feelings to be complicated or muddled or clashing. Marlon James applychangeclash share on social
I think, for me, there's The Book I Should Write and The Book I Wanted to Write - and they weren't the same book. The Book I Should Write should be realistic, since I studied English Lit. It should be cultural. It should reflect where I am today. The Book I Wanted to Write would probably include flying women, magic, and all of that. Marlon James bookculturalenglish share on social
We're not big on irony in Jamaica, sarcasm and double-talk. We tend to say things plainly, sometimes to the point of boredom. Marlon James bigboredomdouble Change image and 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
In 1976, Rastafarians were one of the most violated, persecuted groups in Jamaica. They could be beaten within an inch of their lives, or detained for two years, just for being found in a 'proper' neighbourhood. Marlon James beatdetainfind share on social
'The Daily Mail' interviewed my friends in Jamaica to find out if I was ever the victim of a vicious homophobic attack because, to them, I'm a gay refugee. But nothing like that happened. So, no surprise, that story didn't appear. I'm really pretty boring. Marlon James attackboredaily share on social
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