“Patsy” by Nicole Dennis Benn is a compelling novel that explores themes of identity, family, and resilience. Patsy held a job in Jamaica and lived with her daughter and mother. She was the family bread-winner. She worked as a secretary. Because of a lost love, she decides to leave her family and go the America where she has to find a job. The novel delves into complex social issues such as poverty, homophobia, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. Patsy describes some of what Jamaican culture is like and then the struggles she has in the United States.
This book address all the character’s in Patsy’s life. There are some 50 descriptions of character’s who all have a place in Patsy’s life in Jamaica and the United States, Brooklyn, New York where she lives.
Patsy should be read by adults and not children. On a scale from 1-10, I would give it a 6. There are far too many characters to remember and only one minor character has a prominent place in Patsy’s life along with the major character’s and protagonist, Patsy. The plot is well developed, but there are far too many minor character’s who do not add much substances to the book.
Literary Review 