The Lonely Londoners (Longman Caribbean Writer Series)

by Sam Selvon

Book Overview

Looking for a better life a group of West Indians face harsh conditions in London, including racism, bad weather, loneliness, and hard times

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0582642647
• ISBN13: 9780582642645
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Longman
• Length: 141 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.5" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

a tragic and yet funny novel-a Must REad!

Lonely Londoners is a short and engaging story about the lives of immigrants(west Indians)in London during post world war II. I loved the reading because it effortlessly brings every aspect of the immigrants' experience to life- the racism, poverty, and the exploitation of colored people during the times. This book is not only for immigrants though. It is for anyone who ever asked-'what is the point of living when it is so haard?' That is a universal sentiment that Selvon explores through the struggles of immigrants and their aimless quests that often end no where. In between all that drama we also get impeccable story telling that is a laugh riot sometimes and others a tear jerker. A must read for everyone!

A "must read" for all lovers of West Indian literary works.

"The Lonely Londoners" is my favorite book of all time! With this purchase, I would have bought a total of five(5) copies. The other four however, have gone to the "loaned-a-friend-and-never-got-it-back" graveyard in the sky.Selvon's account of West Indian immigramt life in 50's/60's London is riveting, poignant and tearfully funny. With realism and timeliness, he captures the unique brotherhood of survival that was the lifeblood of the network that sprung up in Brixton.Wait until you meet "Tall Boy" as he greets his family at the boat train at Paddington. "All of we come...!"

Bitter Sweet Trini

Only two books that I really could not put down (porn not included), 'White Merc with Two Fins' (the New York Times slagged it off, which is a good sign as any) and this Lonely Londoners. It's real, real Bitter Sweet - as in, yes Life is Hard, especially for non white immigrants coming to racist England (their "mother country") - a country lacking any decent Legal Constitution like the US (you guys really don't know how lucky you are!). So how do these island boys, rural boys, handle the city....just read. There are two episodes of the book I can mention without giving anything away - look for the 10 page creole monologue about London at night and the sexual encounter between the Colonial island boy (could have been my dad!) and the Colonizer - white woman. Dammmm.... Once You Have Read IT, know this - there are 2 more books in the series.

Bitter Sweet Trini

Only two books that I really could not put down (porn not included), 'White Merc with Two Fins' (the New York Times slagged it off, which is a good sign as any) and this Lonely Londoners. It's real, real Bitter Sweet - as in, yes Life is Hard, especially for non white immigrants coming to racist England (their "mother country") - a country lacking any decent Legal Constitution like the US (you guys really don't know how lucky you are!). My friend after reading it said, he understands why Morrisey could not happen in the Caribbean, meaning to dwell on hard times without using humour as a defense is gray like London's skies. The bitter sweet attitude of Sam's posse is an Island attitude that keeps us on the level. So how do these island boys, rural boys, handle the city....just read. There are two episodes of the book I can mention without giving anything away - look for the 10 page creole monologue about London at night and the sexual encounter between the Colonial island boy (could have been my dad!) and the Colonizer - white woman. Dammmm.... Once You Have Read IT, know this - there are 2 more books in the series.

Joyous, sad, insightful

The novel captures the cadence of West Indian speech, view of the world, and our initial contact with England in the 1950. The stories appear funny, and they are, but underneath there are vivid descriptions of the hardship and the bewilderment that faced poor immigrants unaccustomed to vivid racism, cold weather, and homesickness. The survival of the characters makes the novel and gem. You will never look at the pidgeons in Trafalgar Sq. the same way!