The Alligator's Tooth

By Sherry Keith

A young woman embarks on a journey to post-colonial Jamaica, seeking identity and roots.

4.7/5 Goodreads · 3 ratings

220 pages

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Bookroo's summary

A young woman leaves the gray of London for the vibrant unknown of post-colonial Jamaica. With a one-way ticket, she lands in Kingston, ready to explore her past and face the challenges of a newly independent nation. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, she must forge her own identity amidst cultural shifts and personal discoveries. Will she find the belonging she seeks, or will the island's complexities overwhelm her quest? Dive into a tale of self-discovery and transformation in a land rich with history and promise.

From the publisher

“Searching for a flat in London is no fun, especially after a summer in Spain. The search persists day after day. The air chills, a reminder of the English winter marching towards me. Emerging from the Charring Cross Underground station to scout for an Indian restaurant, a travel poster catches my eye. The gentle curves of a white sand beach banded by a wide ribbon of turquoise dissolving into deep blue defy the London gray. Coconut palms with shaggy yellow-green fronds cast soft shadows on shimmering sand while two empty orange chaise lounges relax in tropical luxury. Below the picture, in heavy bold block letters, I read the word “JAMAICA.”

These stories chronicle a young woman’s journey to post-colonial Jamaica. On a one-way ticket, she arrives in Kingston to spend the next seven years exploring roots from the past, the challenges facing a newly independent nation, and the intricacies of creating an identity of her own in unfamiliar circumstances.

At a glance