Sequins for a Ragged Hem

In "Sequins for a Ragged Hem," poet Amryl Johnson presents a vivid memoir and travelogue that chronicles her journey back to Trinidad in the 1980s after leaving for the UK as a child. Returning during the vibrant carnival, she is initially swept away by the joy of her surroundings, only to confront the painful legacy of colonialism when she discovers her childhood home has been destroyed. Through lyrical prose, Johnson explores her complex relationship with her past and the notion of home, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of her heritage and identity. Selected by Booker Prize-winner Bernardine Evaristo, this memoir illuminates the interplay between memory and self-discovery within the context of Black British history.