Jamestown Blues
Jamestown Blues by Caitlin Davies, published by Penguin in 1996, is a novel that presents a child’s perspective on life in Botswana. The story unfolds through the eyes of a six-year-old girl, the daughter of an Englishwoman and a Motswana, as her father begins work at a salt mine in the new township of Jamestown. The narrative explores the family’s struggles, particularly the challenges faced by her mother, Rose, who finds it difficult to secure employment and must adapt to a life with limited resources.
Readers will find an exploration of identity and the complexities of relationships, particularly through the family’s interactions with a white couple, Shaun and Christine Fish. The book delves into themes of childhood perception and the nuances of cultural expectations, offering insights into the social dynamics of the time. With 250 pages, this New Ed edition invites readers to reflect on the child’s understanding of her environment and the impact of her family’s experiences in a changing society.
Official synopsis Publisher
A child’s vision of events when she was about six and living in Botswana, the daughter of an Englishwoman and a Motswana. Her father takes a job as accountant at the salt mine of the new township of Jamestown, while her mother Rose is unable to get a job and grudgingly sets about housekeeping with pretty basic amenities. The book concerns the family’s eventually disastrous friendship with a white couple, Shaun and Christine Fish. It is an account of a child’s vision and sense of identity, combined with her insights into white behaviour and expectations, and her evocation of the past.
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