National Book Critics Circle Award WinnerA New York Times Notable BookA Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!A Best Book of 2023 by the New York Times, Time, The Washington Post, Vulture, Shelf Awareness, Goodreads, Esquire, The Atlantic, NPR, and Barack ObamaWith echoes of Educated and Born a Crime, How to Say Babylon is the stunning story of the author’s struggle to break free of her rigid Rastafarian upbringing, ruled by her father’s strict patriarchal views and repressive control of her childhood, to find her own voice as a woman and poet.Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician and militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari, became obsessed with her purity, in particular, with the threat of what Rastas call Babylon, the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world outside their home. He worried that womanhood would make Safiya and her sisters morally weak and impure, and believed a woman’s highest virtue was her obedience.In an effort to keep Babylon outside the gate, he forbade almost everything. In place of pants, the women in her family were made to wear long skirts and dresses to cover their arms and legs, head wraps to cover their hair, no make-up, no jewelry, no opinions, no friends. Safiya’s mother, while loyal to her father, nonetheless gave Safiya and her siblings the gift of books, including poetry, to which Safiya latched on for dear life. And as Safiya watched her mother struggle voicelessly for years under housework and the rigidity of her father’s beliefs, she increasingly used her education as a sharp tool with which to find her voice and break free. Inevitably, with her rebellion comes clashes with her father, whose rage and paranoia explodes in increasing violence. As Safiya’s voice grows, lyrically and poetically, a collision course is set between them.How to Say Babylon is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that initially nourished but ultimately sought to silence her; it is her reckoning with patriarchy and tradition, and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica. Rich in lyricism and language only a poet could evoke, How to Say Babylon is both a universal story of a woman finding her own power and a unique glimpse into a rarefied world we may know how to name, Rastafari, but one we know little about.
What's Bookie?
- Free delivery in Germany.
- Find your perfect next read.
- Track to motivate you to read more.
- Connect with people like you.
How to Say Babylon: A Memoir
National Book Critics Circle Award WinnerA New York Times Notable BookA Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!A Best Book of 2023 by the New York Times, Time, The Washington Post, Vulture, Shelf Awareness, Goodreads, Esquire, The Atlantic, NPR, and Barack ObamaWith echoes of Educated and Born a Crime, How to Say Babylon is the stunning story of the author’s struggle to break free of her rigid Rastafarian upbringing, ruled by her father’s strict patriarchal views and repressive control of her childhood, to find her own voice as a woman and poet.Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician and militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari, became obsessed with her purity, in particular, with the threat of what Rastas call Babylon, the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world outside their home. He worried that womanhood would make Safiya and her sisters morally weak and impure, and believed a woman’s highest virtue was her obedience.In an effort to keep Babylon outside the gate, he forbade almost everything. In place of pants, the women in her family were made to wear long skirts and dresses to cover their arms and legs, head wraps to cover their hair, no make-up, no jewelry, no opinions, no friends. Safiya’s mother, while loyal to her father, nonetheless gave Safiya and her siblings the gift of books, including poetry, to which Safiya latched on for dear life. And as Safiya watched her mother struggle voicelessly for years under housework and the rigidity of her father’s beliefs, she increasingly used her education as a sharp tool with which to find her voice and break free. Inevitably, with her rebellion comes clashes with her father, whose rage and paranoia explodes in increasing violence. As Safiya’s voice grows, lyrically and poetically, a collision course is set between them.How to Say Babylon is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that initially nourished but ultimately sought to silence her; it is her reckoning with patriarchy and tradition, and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica. Rich in lyricism and language only a poet could evoke, How to Say Babylon is both a universal story of a woman finding her own power and a unique glimpse into a rarefied world we may know how to name, Rastafari, but one we know little about.
Popular Reviews(4)
Reviewed by JazfulWhat an impressive memoir and what a powerful insight into a childhood within a Rastafarian family, where the father enforces strict rules and is unable to regulate his emotions. Safiya Sinclair writes in a very poetic, almost lyrical way. I have to say at times, what she went through is so heavy that I could barely handle her descriptions of her childhood and teenage life. The story shows how deeply long-term abuse can shape a person, how challenging it is to understand and work through trauma, and how thin the line can be between hate and forgiveness.
Reviewed by MerlinIt’s rare that I give a memoir anything less than 5 stars and this one again deserves it 100%. I always think it is really brave to write up such a deeply personal story and in this particular case, I also really connected with the author’s highly complex relationship to her father and her deep love for her siblings. The author is first and foremost a poet. Her craftsmanship and passion for poetry was transported in every single sentence of this book. And since the author herself narrated the audiobook, her perfect delivery enhanced the listening experience immensely. Even though it took me literally 2+ years to finish this book (I read the first half in late 2023/early 2024 and the last half in the last 2 months) because it was just to tough to revisit her story due to personal family drama, I absolutely would recommend this to anyone who loves memoirs or poetry and likes to learn about growing up in Jamaica.
Reviewed by Modestar Abhorsen BottaThere are no words to describe the profound impact Safiya Sinclair's memoir has had on me. The emotions, thoughts, and understanding I gained from reading this book defy expression. The traditional five-star rating system feels woefully inadequate, as this memoir transcends numerical evaluation. Sinclair's story is a heart-wrenching yet uplifting account of trauma, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Her experiences brought me to tears, yet also offered relief, joy, and a deep sense of connection. I'm still grappling with the complexity of emotions this book evoked. This memoir is a masterclass in resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative power of storytelling. Sinclair's story teaches us valuable lessons about the importance of self-awareness, the dangers of idealizing others, and the need to release anger and blame. I'm deeply grateful for Sinclair's courage in sharing her story. Her memoir has broadened my understanding of the world, reminded me of the importance of empathy and compassion, and inspired me to reflect on my own life and experiences.
Reviewed by yoohFoshoThere are no words to describe the profound impact Safiya Sinclair's memoir has had on me. The emotions, thoughts, and understanding I gained from reading this book defy expression. The traditional five-star rating system feels woefully inadequate, as this memoir transcends numerical evaluation. Sinclair's story is a heart-wrenching yet uplifting account of trauma, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Her experiences brought me to tears, yet also offered relief, joy, and a deep sense of connection. I'm still grappling with the complexity of emotions this book evoked. This memoir is a masterclass in resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative power of storytelling. Sinclair's story teaches us valuable lessons about the importance of self-awareness, the dangers of idealizing others, and the need to release anger and blame. I'm deeply grateful for Sinclair's courage in sharing her story. Her memoir has broadened my understanding of the world, reminded me of the importance of empathy and compassion, and inspired me to reflect on my own life and experiences.