Sweetness in the Skin
- Author Ishi Robinson
- Narrator Deja Bowens
- Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
- Run Time 8 hours and 58 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Family life fiction, Modern and contemporary fiction, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Interior life.
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Listen to a sample
What to expect
Brought to you by Penguin.
Pumkin Patterson dreams of a life beyond her Jamaican hometown. But what we dream of and where we belong aren’t always the same thing…
For Pumkin Patterson, family is complicated.
There’s her mother Paulette, who only sees Pumkin as a nuisance. There’s her beloved Auntie Sophie, who has always talked of she and Pumkin travelling to new horizons. And there’s her grandmother, who has always favoured Sophie over Paulette.
When Sophie moves to France for work, she promises to send for her niece in one year’s time. All Pumkin has to do is pass her French entrance exam. But when Pumkin’s mother finds out, she’s determined that her sister won’t get her own way this time.
Now forced to raise the money for her exam in secret, Pumkin turns to her loyal friends to help her secure her way out . . . while evading her mother’s suspicions.
But while Pumkin dreams of her escape, could happiness be closer to home than she thinks?
‘A delightful, at times humorous story set in Jamaica, amid heartbreak, hopefulness, and mirth.’ CHARMAINE WILKERSON, author of Black Cake
‘A tender exploration of familial love, both the family you’re born to, and the one you find along the way.’ CHARLENE CARR, author of Hold My Girl
©2024 Ishi Robinson (P)2024 Penguin Audio
Critics Review
‘Ishi Robinson’s debut serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding . . . this engaging coming-of-age tale shows a challenging side of Jamaican life through the eyes of an appealing protagonist’
I cherished every moment spent with Pumkin in this mesmerizing and poignant exploration of familial love and self-discovery. Robinson’s narrative is infused with passion, delicately balancing stunning flavors and humor to create a feast for the senses. This captivating tale will linger in your heart long after the final page. An absolute must-read
Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica
The word-of-mouth sensation that’s making waves . . . A searing coming-of-age novel set in 90s Jamaica that tells the story of irrepressible Pumkin Patterson . . . This luminous tale with its infectious heroine is perfect summer reading
Vibrant, affecting and joyfully uplifting. I felt completely transported, and was cheering Pumkin along every step of the way!
A dazzling coming-of-age novel set in the 1990s, with an unforgettable heroine
A story of uplifting love and joyful Jamaican-recipes
Robinson is a tender and vivid writer, teasing out themes of identity, love, and the search for belonging. Sweetness in the Skin is a ode to the families we create for ourselves. Pumkin is a wonderful main character you are willing to succeed
Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humour and sorrow
This story by Ishi Robinson is a contemporary novel about family struggles, learning French, and, my favourite: baking. If those concepts don’t hook you, I don’t know what will. Sweetness in the Skin is perfect for anyone looking for a good ol’ coming-of-age story, as it follows a young, lovable main character.
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