What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSmall Island
Series · 2009
If you loved Small Island, start with Howards End (James Ivory, 1992) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Small Island across media.
If you loved Small Island, you will appreciate how these stories masterfully navigate the intersections of personal identity and historical upheaval.
Books on the same thread
A Distant Shore
Caryl Phillips · Book · 2005
Explores: Immigrant experience, Social alienation, Intergenerational trauma.
Like Small Island, this narrative centers on the immigrant experience, exploring how two individuals from vastly different worlds attempt to build a sense of belonging amidst profound social alienation.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Mary Ann Shaffer · Book · 2009
Explores: World War II, Post-War Recovery, Community.
This story mirrors the post-war atmosphere found in Small Island, focusing on the human need for community and connection as a country attempts to recover from global conflict.
The English Patient
Michael Ondaatje · Book · 2011
Explores: Post-traumatic stress, Identity, Love and loss.
You will recognize the weight of the aftermath of war from Small Island here, as these characters struggle to reclaim their identities while living through the trauma of history.
The Known World
Edward P. Jones · Book · 2009
Explores: Slavery, Morality, Power Dynamics.
This novel echoes the complex racial dynamics of Small Island, challenging your understanding of power and morality by examining the deeply entrenched social structures of a historical era.
Films on the same thread
Atonement
Joe Wright · Film · 2007
Explores: Guilt and Redemption, Consequences of Lies, Social Class Divide.
Just as Small Island portrays the ripple effects of war on personal lives, this film highlights how a single decision can irrevocably alter the course of history and relationships.
12 Years a Slave
Steve McQueen · Film · 2013
Shares 2 threads with Small Island: Racial Prejudice, Historical Drama.
This film provides a powerful look at the loss of freedom and the resilience of the human spirit, themes that resonate deeply with the historical struggles depicted in Small Island.
Howards End
James Ivory · Film · 1992
Explores: Class Conflict, Social Mobility, Female Independence.
Much like Small Island, this story examines the rigid social class divides and cultural shifts of an era, forcing its characters to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Brooklyn
John Crowley · Film · 2015
Shares a thread with Small Island: Cultural Identity.
This narrative perfectly captures the immigrant experience seen in Small Island, focusing on the difficult choice between cultural identity and the promise of a new life abroad.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
If you enjoyed the focus on community and evolving relationships in Small Island, this long-running series offers a similar commitment to exploring the nuances of everyday life.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This podcast digs into the systemic racism and national identity themes of Small Island, providing a profound look at the historical forces that continue to shape our present.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Small Island a historical drama about the relationship between Jamaica and the UK?
Yes, Small Island is a historical drama set during World War Two. It traces the tangled history of Jamaica and the UK by following the intricately connected stories of three individuals as they navigate hope, humanity, and the stubborn reality of their changing lives.
What is the primary setting of Small Island?
The narrative of Small Island takes place across multiple locations, moving between rural Jamaica and the United Kingdom. The stories focus on characters including Hortense, Gilbert, and Queenie as they seek new lives and escape their roots during the period of World War Two.
How many main storylines are featured in Small Island?
Small Island features three intricately connected stories. The plot follows Hortense, who yearns for a new life, Gilbert, who dreams of becoming a lawyer, and Queenie, who longs to escape her Lincolnshire roots, as their paths cross during the backdrop of World War Two.
Does Small Island focus on the experiences of characters during World War Two?
Yes, Small Island is set during World War Two. It explores the lives of Jamaicans and Londoners whose stories become connected as they face the challenges of the era while pursuing their personal dreams and attempting to escape their past circumstances.