Alecia McKenzie Book order

'An elegantly written and emotionally engrossing work of fiction' Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other.

Dulcinea Evers, a young Jamaican artist who has reinvented herself in the USA as the flamboyant Cinea Verse, has died in unclear circumstances. But who was Dulcinea? Her friend, Cheryl, who is carrying her ashes back to New York from her Jamaican funeral, has one story, but the narratives of the other people in her life are different.

Female characters navigate a challenging landscape marked by sexual violence, neglect, and prejudice in this collection of short stories set in Jamaica and the United States. Despite the harsh realities they face, themes of resilience and hope emerge as the women draw on their creativity, humor, and friendships. Gritty realism intertwines with moments of possibility, showcasing stories of personal growth, such as a child's quest for education and a middle-aged Reggae singer discovering love, while estranged friends seek reconciliation.