A reggae singer, a failed assassination and the turmoil of modern Jamaica
Man Booker Prize nominee Marlon James speaks to The Stream about his novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings”.
An attempted murder on singer Bob Marley took place in Kingston, just prior to the general election and days before he was supposed to perform at the Smile Jamaica Concert to ease political tensions. The 1976 attack severely wounded Marley, his wife Rita and several others. Not much is known about the incident, but rumours about it ran rampant around the country. Marlon James’ novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” tells this story against the backdrop of the extreme violence and unrest that gripped Jamaica in the 1970’s. Through the voices of several characters, he dives deep into Kingston gangs, reggae music and CIA operatives over a span of three decades. On Monday we’ll speak to Man Booker Prize nominee Marlon James. Join the conversation at 19:30 GMT.
In this episode of The Stream we speak to:
Marlon James @MarlonJames5
Author, “A Brief History of Seven Killings”
Akilah White @Akilamantado
Blogger
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Naomi Jackson @thenaomijackson
Author, “The Star Side of Bird Hill”
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Stephen Narain @Stephen_Narain
Author
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