“A Brief History of Seven Killings” by Marlon James – The Politics of Chaos

Though it is a bit sad to say, many people have a rather one-sided and limited perception of Jamaica, confined to happy reggae songs and proficient cannabis smokers. Though there certainly is a fair share of that, it goes without saying that there is infinitely more to Jamaica, its people as well as its history.

As a matter of fact, the three decades from the 1970s to the 1990s were some of the most turbulent times in the country, an era where crime and politics are virtually one and the same, a time during which poverty and violence were the daily rules for many.

In his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, Marlon James takes it upon himself to review this period in his country's history, basing a good chunk of his fiction on true facts, whether historical or observed by him first-hand.

In other words, this book includes real events here and there as well as interesting facts about how life worked then and there, but most of the developments and characters are fictional... though it certainly isn't far-fetched to think all those people existed and the events truly took place, and will continue for a while.

The whole thing begins with the infamous assassination attempt on Bob Marley in 1976, an event which, in the book, sets in motion a series of events that culminate in bloodbaths, corruption, manipulation games, and basically hell for everyone who is poor (a largely dominant demographic in that context, as you can imagine).

To describe all the territories this novel ventures into would be a bit of a Herculean task, as it tries to encompass all the important elements pertaining to that time period, painting a very complete and true-to-life picture of how things were, from the daily routines of single mothers in the ghetto to the political upheaval sweeping through the land.

On the whole, I will admit that the depiction of that life is something that can touch the reader profoundly, inspiring a feeling of hopelessness and sadness for people they do not even know.

No words are minced, and the ugliness is displayed in all of its horror, practically daring the reader to keep on going to stand as a testament to the horrors hidden in humanity's history.

The transformations undergone by the characters are quite palpable and raise many interesting points about the interaction between Man and his environment, which one truly influences the other and how to break the vicious cycle where people are forced into evil by their environment for the sake of survival, in turn nurturing the latter's dark nature.

It needs to be absolutely said that this book isn't exactly an easy read, and it requires a certain amount of time, effort and devotion to be completely understood and appreciated.

The stories are told by different narrators, and though the voices certainly take on their own uniqueness and importance, you will still find yourself going to the pages at the beginning where all the important characters are listed, along with when and where they appear in the story.

Otherwise said, this is one of those books that makes you work your gray cells and rewards you immensely for it.

In short, A Brief History of Seven Killings is a splendid and touching novel, one that has the power to tear our eyes wide open to the atrocities taking place in a country most Westerners only see as a touristic attraction.

Most definitely recommended to anyone willing to invest themselves deep into an exploration of human nature.

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Marlon James Personal site Marlon James is a Jamaican author who has also taken up the role of teaching English and creative writing at Macalester College since 2007. He earned his degree in literature in 1991 from the University of the West Indies, and in 2006 his Master's in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. His novel The Book of Night Women, written in 2010, earned him the Dayton Literary Peace Prize.