Book Review: Songs of Irie by Asha Ashanti Bromfield

Have you ever been to paradise? Or an island? They say a beautiful vacation somewhere warm might be the perfect getaway. A place where dreams can come true but only if you believe. However, with this novel I was feeling all the warmth of paradise and sunshine. And you also can't forget about love. Like I said before in my other romance review, I am NOT a romance girlie. But every time I say that I somehow find a thought-provoking love tale. I immediately gave this a 5-star due to the characters being well developed and how the plot was so intact, and everything was coming altogether. If you are into the Queer/Best friends fall in love type of plot, then this is for you. But it's with a twist that literally broke me...

Book Synopsis

The story takes place in 1976 Jamaica, the political election and parties begins a wider divide between the rich and the poor. Then you have Irie and Jilly, who both come from different sides of the island. Irie is from Kingston, where fighting in the streets is a regular thing. Jilly comes from the "hills", a place that is filled with mansions being nestled within lush gardens, a community which remains safe behind gates.

However, despite them having two different childhoods, they both share a bond through the love of Reggae music. While enjoying the love of music they spend most of their time at Irie's father's record store, listening to music that was labeled as "rebellious". It also opens Jilly's mind to sounds and a way of thinking she has never heard or done before.

As tensions and emotions flood the streets, so do Irie and Jilly's emotions between each other. A romance blooming on both ends but it's also complicating things as the push and pull between their lives becomes unbearable to handle.

In Irie's world, she uses her words and voice. Blood is being shed every day right in the front of her eyes. She has no choice. Jilly on the other hand, can always have a choice to escape...

Can they're bond survive an impossible chaotic divide?

While reading this, the story is very educational in a way readers can understand the importance of what Jamaica has been through. In the 70s, you had a legend/musician named Bob Marley leading Jamaica to its own heights. Bringing music into the fold as a peaceful tool to bring everyone together during Jamaica's political wars. Here is some information that I researched after reading...

1976 Jamaica

A general election was due in Jamaica in early 1977, and in the year of 1976, there was an escalation in pre-existing political conflict between supports of the Democratic Socialist People's National Party (PNP) of Prime Minister Michael Manley and the pro-US opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

During this time, political violence became a common thing in Jamaica. Political parties started paying off crime bosses for local gang support. Assassination threats and attempts also started becoming more frequent.

There was even an assassinated attempt on Jamaica's legend, Bob Marley, who was only trying to keep the peace.

During my time of research, I observed what it was like living in 1970s Jamaica, which was full of life despite the violence that was created by politics. Jamaica during this time, was simply a breath of fresh air. With wonderful music that brought people together and dancing which had everyone on their feet. Regularly, the 70s was full of colors and dancing. But we do have to appreciate how dedicated Bob Marley was. He used his talent in music to get everyone's attention. He was the heart of Jamaica after all. Even though there were evil forces trying to stop him from speaking, he continued anyway.

Back to the novel, I enjoyed how the author included something historic in the plot. And how each character fitted perfectly in the timeline of this event that took place. But what I did notice, the main character, Irie was almost a female version of Bob Marley. The only thing she could do was simply sing and while the words she created spoke volume.

With love, may Jamaica's music legend, rest in peace...