Description

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

An emotional, tender and funny novel from award-winning author Alecia McKenzie that asks, what does family mean to you?

Seeking solitude after a personal tragedy upends his world, artist Chris travels to his mother’s homeland, Jamaica, in a bid to find peace. He expects to spend his time painting alone, coming to terms with his loss and the fractured relationship with his father. Instead, he discovers a new extended and complicated ‘family’ with their own startling stories. Can they help him to become whole again?

Told from different points of view, this is an utterly compelling and deeply relatable novel from the winner of two Commonwealth literary prizes. Fans of Girl, Woman, Other and The Vanishing Half will love this book about friendship, community, chosen family, and healing after trauma.

What readers are saying about A Million Aunties:

‘This is a wonderful story about the families we’re given and those we make for ourselves. A life-affirming read.’ Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

‘This warm and wise story celebrates the importance of community and belonging.’ Woman’s Own

‘A tender novel.’ Hello

‘Have you ever not wanted a book to end? Were disappointed that the characters are gone from your life?… Makes you yearn for more.’ New York Journal of Books

‘An absolute delight!… Trust me – if you enjoy character-driven, multicultural fiction, you’re going to want to get your hands on this book ASAP.’ Reader review

‘Emotional, enthralling and heartfelt… A story of loss and the infinite types of love.’ Woman’s World

‘Pulls you in and holds you right till the end. It’s strongly written with a delicate touch.’ New West Indian Guide

‘Tender… An emotionally resonant ode to adopted families and community resilience.’ New York Times

‘This big-hearted narrative of love, loss and family is handled with grace and beauty.’ Publishers Weekly

‘A beautiful book for anyone who knows there is more to family than blood relations.’ Book Culture

Publisher Review

A Million Aunties is an elegantly written and emotionally engrossing work of fiction -- Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other Alecia McKenzie's tender new novel is an emotionally resonant ode to adopted families and community resilience * New York Times * This big-hearted narrative of love, loss and family is handled with grace and beauty -- Publishers Weekly Have you ever not wanted a book to end? Were disappointed that the characters are gone from your life? A Million Aunties by Alecia McKenzie is one such novel that makes you yearn for more * New York Journal of Books * A wide-ranging novel told in several voices that moves between New York, rural Jamaica, and Paris. Painting is at the heart of the book but so is family, love, heartbreak, and loss. The story pulls you in and holds you right till the end. It's strongly written with a delicate touch * New West Indian Guide * The beauty and brilliance of Blackness in the diaspora take centerstage in Alecia McKenzie's A Million Aunties, showcasing the intricate textures of identity, place, and connection to survive loss * Colors of Influence * A beautiful book for anyone who knows there is more to family than blood relations * Book Culture * Under her deceptively revealing title, Alecia McKenzie recreates Jamaica's enduring traditions in fresh and illuminating ways that make this one of the most avant garde fictions I have read in a long time -- Curdella Forbes, Author of A Tall History of Sugar This is a wonderful story about the families we're given and those we make for ourselves. I found A Million Aunties a soothing, life-affirming read. -- Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City