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Cover of A Brief History of Seven Killings
Literary Fiction· Jamaica

A Brief History of Seven Killings

by Marlon James
Aggregate Editorial Score89/100
★Booker Prize
Published 2015704 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

When Marlon James published A Brief History of Seven Killings in 2015, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. The attempted assassination of Bob Marley in 1976 Kingston, Jamaica triggers a vast narrative spanning three decades, told through dozens of voices from gunmen to CIA operatives to journalists. James's Booker Prize winner is a political and social epic of post-colonial Jamaica, violent and virtuosic. Themes of Jamaica, violence, politics run through the work. The book has received recognition from Booker Prize 2015.

Book Details

AuthorMarlon James
Published2015
Country of Origin🇯🇲 Jamaica
LanguageEnglish
Pages704
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781594633942
Editorial Score89/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇯🇲 Jamaica

This book is part of Jamaica's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Jamaica →

Editorial Assessment

Marlon James published A Brief History of Seven Killings in 2015, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Jamaica. The book's treatment of Jamaica, violence, politics, Cold War accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Booker Prize 2015. Its aggregate editorial score of 89/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. The appeal of A Brief History of Seven Killings lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of Jamaica, violence, politics, Cold War is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Jamaica's literary landscape, Marlon James occupies a significant position. A Brief History of Seven Killings is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Booker Prize
winner · global
201589
✍️
About the Author
Marlon James
Jamaica
View Author →

Marlon James is a celebrated author from Jamaica known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Brief History of Seven Killings about?

The attempted assassination of Bob Marley in 1976 Kingston, Jamaica triggers a vast narrative spanning three decades, told through dozens of voices from gunmen to CIA operatives to journalists. James's Booker Prize winner is a political and social epic of post-colonial Jamaica, violent and virtuosic.

Who wrote A Brief History of Seven Killings?

A Brief History of Seven Killings was written by Marlon James, from Jamaica. First published in 2015.

What awards has A Brief History of Seven Killings won?

A Brief History of Seven Killings has received the following awards and honours: Booker Prize 2015.

Is A Brief History of Seven Killings worth reading?

A Brief History of Seven Killings is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 89/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in Jamaica, violence, politics.

Where can I buy A Brief History of Seven Killings?

You can buy A Brief History of Seven Killings on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is A Brief History of Seven Killings?

A Brief History of Seven Killings is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is A Brief History of Seven Killings from?

A Brief History of Seven Killings originates from Jamaica's literary tradition. Explore more books from Jamaica on our country page.

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