A brilliant exploration of the immigrant experience through the eyes of Trelawny and Delano whose parents left their native Kingston in search of freedom and safety from political violence in Miami. In eight interlinked stories, Escoffery reveals the brothers' experience of America in different and contradictory ways as Delano identifies more closely with his roots but struggles to maintain a family and Trelawny who seeks acceptance in his home country but finds himself homeless and scraping a living. There's great humour and painfully prescient episodes of racism such as Trelawny's unbearable dinner with his girlfriend's parents. Neither man is a hero, both make horrible decisions and there is little moral high-ground between them, but what is clear is the limitation on their choices. They are toppled time and again such as a hurricane (1992) and a recession (2008). Trelawny especially is haunted by the constant question "What are you?" and his inability to find a a satisfactory answer, even for himself. The writing is brilliant and the characters entertaining and empathetic, warts and all. Escoffery's facility for storytelling is evident in the deft way he weaves these stories into a satisfying whole that is both individual and general.

I thoroughly enjoyed If I Survive you by Jonathan Escoffrey. I was hooked from the very beginning and did not want to put the book down until I’d finished. Although the stories grapple with quite difficult and sometimes depressing issues, they are written with such wit and humour, I struggled to put the book down. My full review is on the book club podcast episode here:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bookandlounge/episodes/Surviving-and-Thriving-If-I-Survive-you-by-Jonathan-Escoffery-on-Writing-and-Identity-e2cnh1e

"If I Survive You" is a collection of interconnected short stories that revolve around members of the same family, spanning both their native Jamaica and their new life in the USA. The well-crafted narrative introduces intriguing characters that captivate the reader's interest, making them eager to follow each story. As a Booker Prize nominee in 2023, the recognition is well-deserved, attesting to the book's literary merit and the author's storytelling prowess.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

If I Survive You is a series of interlinked short stories about members of the same family and take place in their native Jamaica and their new home in the USA. Well written book with interesting characters that you want to follow. Booker prize nominee 2023 and I think deserved.

A collection of interconnected and nonchronological short stories mostly written in second person which made it an engaging read. Themes of identity and belonging.

If I Survive You tells the story of Trelawney, his brother Delano and his father Topper, as they try to make a life in Miami, and in some cases escape it. The family's life is marked by hurricanes, whether real, imagined or just-avoided. Trelawney struggles with his identity and suffers through an adolescence and young adulthood full of microaggressions, topped off by graduating into the recession and sleeping in his car while training as a teacher in his lunch hours. Blue-eyed boy Delano (literally; he has his father's eyes) has it easier at first, reaping the benefits of being his father's favourite until the economic crisis also begins to bite at his arborist job and side-hustle in a reggae cover band. You find yourself rooting for these dysfunctional brothers, their long-suffering mother Sanya (who eventually leaves them too, for Jamaica and then Italy) and even their far-from-perfect dad, whose story is told in patois a third of the way through the book. My only complaint would be that this book feels a bit too much like a selection of MFA creative writing class short stories, but even lacking the momentum of a traditional novel, the writing was so good it was hard to put down.

Who are you? the narrator asks himself. These short stories which read like an episodic novel, answer this in many different ways, exploring race, class, place (Miami, Jamaica...) in a compelling manner. I found the stories engrossing, interesting; there was humour, real feeling, good writing. The politics were not of the victimhood type but intelligently presented and allowing the reader to respond in a non-directed way. I definitely will not forget this man's growing up "adventures"... the way he weaves anecdotes around strong images - be them a storm, an apartment building, a boatyard... made them for me memorable. Totally recommend.

One of the things that I really love about reading is the way it can show you life from a different perspective. Trelawny is growing up as an American, but his parents are originally from Jamaica and after he is forced to move schools Trelawny becomes an outsider. He isn’t Black, White, Spanish, American or Jamaican enough for anyone. He is his own unique self, and that should be enough, but all the time people are trying to fit him into one of their neat boxes.

The book is mainly told from Trelawny’s perspective but inter-mixed with this you get chapters from the perspectives of his cousin, father, and brother. This made the storytelling far richer, and the characters more rounded, as you better understood their own strategies for survival which sometimes went against Trelawny.

The book is about race, class, equality of opportunity and the importance of having a strong home foundation to withstand the storms that a changing life can throw at a person.

This book certainly made me think, even though I‘m not really sure what to make of it.

It‘s a series of short stories about one immigrant family, which are supposed to cohere into a novel. Some of the stories really worked but others felt quite jarring. It started off slowly, picked up in the middle and then became quite repetitive towards the end.

I'm glad I read it, but a few weeks later I'm struggling to remember much of it at all.

Loved this collection of interwoven stories connecting the idea of identity! The first stories felt the strongest. Great to see it listed for the Booker Prize.

“ First, the entire project of Whiteness means “to the exclusion of and.” Second, you are not the progeny of a Black person and a White person. You are the offspring of two Others.
You’re brown, but not that kind, and not that kind, and not that kind.
Black means expansive enough, inclusive enough, to con- tain the whole of your European ancestry, to bear the whole of the continent: your French, your Italian, your Irish, your En- glish, and Black, your Black, you’re Black, then why do they keep asking?”

Strong start but what followed failed to keep my attention,

Jonathan Escoffery’s "If I Survive You" is a deeply poignant debut that delves into the multi-faceted intricacies of racial identity, family ties, and the quest for belonging in modern-day America. Centred on Trelawny, a young Black man of Jamaican descent, the narrative traces his tumultuous journey from Kingston’s political tumults to Miami's vibrant, yet challenging landscapes. Throughout, Trelawny grapples with societal prejudices, familial complexities, and the persistent, haunting question, "What are you?"

Escoffery’s prose stands out for its inventiveness and keen insight. Employing a second-person narrative, he crafts a direct and intimate bond with readers, pulling them into the heart of Trelawny’s world. The fluidity with which he navigates between Jamaican English, Spanish, and diverse tenses is emblematic of the protagonist’s oscillating states and varied cultural intersections. Miami and Jamaica are rendered not just as mere settings, but as vivid, living entities, each with its own contrasting heartbeat.

Family dynamics play a pivotal role in the narrative. Trelawny’s interactions with his distant father, devout mother, and impulsive brother illuminate the intricate dance of love, conflict, and identity. These relationships underscore the protagonist's continual search for self and acceptance amidst a backdrop of societal and internal challenges.

"If I Survive You" is a powerful narrative that brilliantly merges realism with profound insight, addressing poignant themes from racism to personal relationships. Escoffery emerges as a formidable voice in contemporary literature, weaving a tale that's as compelling as it is resonant. This book is not just a read but an experience, highlighting the resilience and complexity of the Black experience in America.
The book was published in February 2023 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
If I Survive You
by Jonathan Escoffery

The novel in connected short stories that I didn't expect to love so much. In fact I like to at least sample as much of the booker prize longlist as I can get my hands on, and owing to some less than glowing reviews I spotted, I thought this would be a brief scan, however I very quickly found myself completely engrossed in the first story and wanting to delve deeper into the lives of this Jamaican immigrant family.

It's quickly apparent that Trewanwy doesn't fit, not in school, not in the Hispanic community, not in the black community, or even in his own family. He doesn't relate to Miami or Jamaica and his father claims he has deficiencies.

He is the central character throughout the book and the 1st POV, but we also hear from his father in patois, who left Jamaica with his wife and first son (before Trewaney is born) to escape certain death only to end up in a sub-par existence in Miami.

Then Cukie, Trelawney's cousin, son of a single Jamaican mother and a dead beat white Floridian dad. I love Cukie, and this story of a transactional father/son relationship that explores paternal responsibility.

We also hear from Trewaney's older brother Delano, the favoured son who has no compunction about being the beneficiary of all the father bestows.

Each story has an immediate hook, the voices are distinct and Escoffery manages to inject a resignedly humorous tone into dire situations. What's clear is that life for Trewaney is stuck in survival mode, his dysfunctional family, his identity confusion and his lack of economic supports have created a perfect storm for disaster in his life. He is one step away from destitution continually.

Lots to unpack about the cycle of poverty within the immigrant community, toxic masculinity and vulnerability to exploitation.

This is a great read, with characters to love, hate, pity and judge that also holds a mirror up to American colonialism, white entitlement and perceptions of racial and ethnic distinctions.

A worthy contender for this year's #bookerprize

Best of luck to @esco_out_n_play

Thanks to #4thestatebooks and #netgalley for the ARC

Jonathan Escoffery's Booker-longlisted 'If I Survive You' is a collection of eight linked short stories exploring the lives of a family living in Miami. In the brilliant first story, 'In Flux', we meet Trelawny, the younger son of two mixed-race parents who came to the US from Jamaica in 1979. As he travels from Miami to university in the Mid-West and then to Jamaica, he is continually confronted with the question "What are you?" but is never able to offer a satisfactory answer to this question as he never finds a community who see him as one of them. In this, as in several of the other stories, Escoffery writes in second person, immersing us in Trelawny's experiences and meaning that we do are confronted with this same question of 'What are you?" This opening story offered one of the most powerful explorations of identity I have encountered and I would love to teach it in the future.

Over the rest of this collection, we follow Trelawny, his older brother Delano and other male relatives as they navigate the challenges of life for people of colour in America: racism, violence, crime and poverty, compounded by the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew. Above all, this is a book about "people who burn themselves up in pursuit of survival", and the destructive consequences of this, in particular on families, whether shown through parental abandonment or sibling rivalry. Characters find themselves repeating the mistakes of previous generations despite their best intentions.

Escoffery's writing is engrossing and often darkly comic but underneath this is a passionate and profound account of the daily struggle of living for young men of colour. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this superb debut to review.

"If I Survived You" by Jonathan Escoffery is a splendid collection of interconnected short stories that take us into the lives of a Jamaican family living in Florida. Through a diverse range of characters, the book explores themes of identity, race, family bonds, migration, belonging and resilience in the face of challenges.

These interconnected stories revolve mostly around Trelawney, a young man on a journey of self-discovery and grappling with his racial identity. Escoffery beautifully captures the complexity of Trelawney's experiences, skillfully highlighting the clash between his Jamaican heritage and the racial dynamics in the United States. There are some sharp and humorous observations.

The impact of significant events, like Hurricane Andrew and the 2008 recession, is evident in the family's struggle to rebuild their lives. Escoffery masterfully weaves together different timelines and perspectives, creating a vivid and multi-dimensional portrayal of the characters and their intertwined lives.

One of the book's standout features is Escoffery's adept use of language, particularly when incorporating Jamaican dialect and the narration in second person. It adds an authentic and immersive experience, allowing readers to fully appreciate the cultural nuances and the characters' journeys.

While the book follows a series of stand-alone stories, I couldn't help but wonder why we didn't have a full novel here with continuous chapters and more in depth look at the characters. Regardless, Escoffery's vibrant storytelling, diverse perspectives, and touches of humour more than make up for this minor quibble.

"If I Survived You" explores universal themes of family love, the longing for acceptance, and the struggles of self-discovery. Escoffery offers a poignant portrayal of the yearning for connection and acceptance from our roots, which is both relatable and moving. The final line of the last story beautifully encapsulates the main themes of forgiveness and self-redemption. I eagerly look forward to experiencing his talent in a future full-length novel.

Very grateful to Netgalley, 4th estate books and W M collins books for this ARC

Ah, this is everything I'd hoped for and more. I had no idea these stories were interlinked, and discovering that as I went along was an incredible expwerience, and only added to the infinite surprises here. It's so well done. The one downside is not enough of each person (especially cousin navigating a possible murder-plot -- I could read an entire novel on that story alone). I loved these characters, I was fascinated by the exploration of race and identity throughout each of these characters' lives. The interactions, the father-son-brother-mother intricacies, the unravelling of personhood and battles for validation. Everything. Stunning work.

A story about a Jamaican family in Miami navigating recession, racism and Hurricane Andrew. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a creative and absorbing tale!

If I Survive You is a collection of interconnected stories about a Jamaican family who flee political violence in their native Kingston in the 1970s, settling in Miami, Florida.

Their two sons, Delano and Trelawny, are vastly different personalities and with an unreliable father, a society hostile to their brown skin (they’re described as being Black in America but not Black in Jamaica) and financial precariousness threatening any sort of stability, Delano and Trelawny end up pitted against one another.

The writing is sharp and observant, the premise and themes in the book are interesting (racism, white privilege, identity, the struggles of young men of colour to establish any sort of foothold) and the differing POVs the stories are written from sets up what I expected would be a great read.

The first story, written in the second person, is very strong and had me convinced this was a book I was going to love. Unfortunately, the rest of the stories failed to reach those heights and were disjointed, discomfiting and chaotic.

The book is billed as hilariously funny but it lost me when Trelawny took a job that involved him punching a girl in the face (at her request) for $40. The book is very male-centred; Trelawny’s mother Sanya is the only female character of note in the book and she doesn’t get enough airtime, moving back to Jamaica leaving behind an all-male cast to carry the story. Delano’s story was my least favourite.

Undoubtedly, there is an audience for this book; it’s just not for me. Many thanks to the author, the publisher @4thestatebooks and @netgalley for the arc. If I Survive You will be published on 2 February 2023. As always, this is an honest review. 2.5/5 ⭐️

This was not what I expected at all. The first two chapters had me hooked I was expecting the coming chapters to be the story of the family told though others members of the eyes this was not the case.. the story mainly follows the one character and his relationship with himself and his father. It’s really thought provoking interesting read that made me think about what race was and how race is such a defining feature of the USA. I can’t say I really enjoyed the book but it was one of the books I can’t make mind up about. I would say read it for yourself and make up your own mind it would certainty make you question what you think you know.

“I’d be able to move out of my car and rent my own apartment; I could live like a fully formed twenty-first-century North American human. I needed this.”


Being a big fan of collections of short stories following the same character/s, I was keen to read If I Survive You. Each chapter in this debut presents us with a self-contained story following a Jamaican American family from the 1970s to the 2008 recession. Most of these chapters provide us with a snapshot into the youngest son’s life, Trelawny, from his childhood experiences to his adulthood misadventures which see him, for a time, living in his car and attempting to find steady employment. In the first story, for instance, told through a 2nd pov, Escoffery uses Trelawny experiences to highlight how as a child he initially embraces everything related to America, but the more his peers question his identity and background, the more unmoored he comes to feel. His Jamaican parents express negative opinions about Black Americans and Trelawny himself does not feel like he fits in with the Black kids at his school. Eventually, he ends up ‘passing’ as Puerto Rican but his momentary acceptance to the Puerto Rican kids’ table is also short-lived. Trelawny’s experiences at school highlight the realities of race and racism in America, showing how pigeonholing others often relies on absurd and arbitrary conditions, and the real-life consequences of being a poc in a society that privileges whiteness. Time and again the people in Trelawny’s life attempt and fail to put in a box or label him in a certain way or we see how the adults around him behave or see him in a certain way.

“Of course, the difference between exiles and my parents—in fact, the difference between me and my parents—is that my parents have a homeland to which they can return.”


In the other chapters we meet Trelawny again as an adult: from the odd, and downright questionable, jobs he finds to make a living, to the circumstances that led to his father kicking me out (and him living in his car), to the feud he has with his brother, Delano, that reveal old wounds and insecurities. Trelawny’s dynamics with his brother and father had a lot of potential but sadly these are often left rather unexplored or merely hinted at. Because we are only given snapshots into their lives, these ultimately do not come together to form a cohesive family portrait or coming of age. Rather they seem like a series of vignettes strung together. The satire, although often clever and spot-on, could have been dialled down a little in favor of exploring different tones. I would have liked some more emotion, more depth, and more nuance. Trelawny’s mother is severely underused which is a pity as it made the story very male-centred. Which is fair enough but it was a pity that the men, Trelawny and his brother, who are given most page-time are different brands of stronzi. These short story sacrifice characterisation in favor of maintaining a certain satirical style.

“The downside of being the face of rent increases in a low-income development is that the residents wish you dead.”


Escoffery’s commentary—on race, on masculinity, on being Jamaican American, on growing up in Miami, on whiteness, on trying to survive financial and natural disasters, on attempting to strive in a capitalist society, on sacrificing one’s moral & ethical code to make a living—was irreverent and cutting to be the biggest strength of his storytelling. I just found the collection to be ultimately too focused on presenting us with vignettes that sure, are sardonic and clever, but are missing out on those emotional beats and that character development that would have made for a more memorable and richer reading experience. There were some genuinely witty lines/scenarios that made me laugh out loud though.

“Had it read DIE!!!! I’d have attributed the message to rage, which is passing, unsustainable. But die, to me, seems cool-headed. The sender appeared to have given it ample thought.”


Don’t let my so-so review dissuade you, however! If you are a books using this linked short-stories format, like Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah, Night of the Living Rez: Stories by Morgan Talty, Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta, you should definitely give Escoffery's debut a read.