Songs of Irie

In 1976 Jamaica, a forthcoming election between an egalitarian platform and a capitalist agenda sows civil unrest. Light-skinned teen Jilly, from the upper echelon of Jamaican society, reckons with a lack of agency when her parents arrange her marriage to the capitalist party leader’s son. Jilly’s best friend, dark-skinned Irie—a reggae songwriter with a knockout voice living in the “not-so-nice parts” of the island—forfeits her dreams to work alongside her family at their record shop. After a friend is murdered, Irie determines to follow her desires and accepts a performance gig at a dancehall party with Jilly in attendance. But a violent encounter with egalitarian soldiers and her family’s disappearance throw Irie’s life into further chaos; meanwhile, Jilly wrestles with her parents’ involvement in the brewing oppression. While Jilly’s development can sometimes feel low stakes in comparison to Irie’s clear-sighted observations, their juxtaposition prompts compelling conversations surrounding class privilege, and their slow-burn romance heightens tensions. Bromfield (Hurricane Summer) depicts a harsh reality around predation of young women in Jamaica to craft a devastating and nuanced look at two teens’ battle for freedom, hope, independence, and love. An author’s note provides context about civil unrest in Jamaica. Ages 13–up. Agent: Emily Van Beek, Folio Literary. (Oct.)