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Sweetness in the Skin
- Author
- Ishi Robinson
- Narrator
- Deja Bowens
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date
- 11 April 2024
- Run Time
- 8 hours 58 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
Brought to you by Penguin.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 OCM BOCAS PRIZE FOR CARIBBEAN LITERATURE
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…
Eleven-year-old Pumpin knows a few things:
That her mother has never loved her
That Aunt Sophie does
That baking makes everything better
And France is a long way from her Jamaican home
What Pumkin doesn’t know is:
What will happen when Aunt Sophie leaves for France
How far a mother can go to hurt a daughter
Why a secret can rot a family
That her cakes might just help save her life
Whatever happens, Pumkin knows she needs someone to love her.
But she just doesn’t know who . . .
Praise for Sweetness in the Skin
‘A dazzling coming-of-age novel with an unforgettable heroine’ Red
‘Serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding’ The Times
‘Wonderful, tender, vivid’ Glamour
©2024 Ishi Robinson (P)2024 Penguin Audio
Critics Review
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‘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’
The Times
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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
Abi Daré, bestselling author of The Girl With the Louding Voice
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Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica
Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
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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
Stylist
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Vibrant, affecting and joyfully uplifting. I felt completely transported, and was cheering Pumkin along every step of the way!
Lucy Diamond, author of Anything Could Happen
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A dazzling coming-of-age novel set in the 1990s, with an unforgettable heroine
Red
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A story of uplifting love and joyful Jamaican-recipes
Stylist
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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
Glamour
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Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humour and sorrow
Julia Quinn, bestselling author of Bridgerton
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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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Details
- Author
- Ishi Robinson
- Narrator
- Deja Bowens
- Duration
- 8 hours 58 minutes
- Release Date
- 11 April 2024
- ISBN
- 9781405958431
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Genre
- Family life fiction, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary, Narrative theme: Interior life, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging
Synopsis
Brought to you by Penguin.SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 OCM BOCAS PRIZE FOR CARIBBEAN LITERATUREPumkin Patterson dreams of a life beyond her Jamaican hometown. But what we dream of and where we belong aren’t always the same thing…Eleven-year-old Pumpin knows a few things:That her mother has never loved herThat Aunt Sophie doesThat baking makes everything betterAnd France is a long way from her Jamaican homeWhat Pumkin doesn’t know is:What will happen when Aunt Sophie leaves for FranceHow far a mother can go to hurt a daughterWhy a secret can rot a familyThat her cakes might just help save her lifeWhatever happens, Pumkin knows she needs someone to love her.But she just doesn’t know who . . .Praise for Sweetness in the Skin‘A dazzling coming-of-age novel with an unforgettable heroine’ Red‘Serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding’ The Times‘Wonderful, tender, vivid’ Glamour©2024 Ishi Robinson (P)2024 Penguin Audio
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