“10 books, 10 Voices”- Book Review: Sweetness In The Skin

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In Sweetness in the Skin, Ishi Robinson crafts a powerful and moving narrative centered around the life of Pumpkin, a young Jamaican woman who struggles with the societal and personal challenges related to her identity, beauty, and sense of belonging. Set in Jamaica, the novel explores themes of colourism, body image, and self-worth, all through the lens of Pumpkins experiences.

Pumpkin, the protagonist, is a character who faces constant discrimination and internal conflict due to her darker skin tone and what is perceived as her ‘poor life’. The story explores how Pumpkin’s self-perception is influenced by the way she is treated by others, and how these influences shape her relationships, both familial and romantic. Her internal battle with self-acceptance is profound, as she struggles to reconcile the way the world sees her with the way she sees herself.

Robinson’s writing is richly evocative, capturing the vivid landscape of Jamaica while simultaneously delving into the emotional landscape of a young woman who yearns for validation and peace with her body and identity. The novel is not just about colourism in Jamaica but also about the universal human experience of seeking self-love and acceptance in a world that often demands conformity.

Sweetness in the Skin is a compelling examination of how beauty standards and economic standing can be both damaging and liberating, showing how Pumpkin, in the end, learns to find power in embracing who she truly is.

By: Adia Meade and Shana Howell

Adia Meade