Cover of The Harder They Come

The Harder They Come

by Michael Thelwell · 1980

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Like the acclaimed film of the same title, this lyrical, lilting, densely textured novel is based on the exploits of the legendary Jamaican folk hero and reggae star Rhygin. With passion and precision, Michael Thelwell recounts Rhygin's journey from a morally coherent rural universe to the teeming, predatory slums of Kingston, his rebellion against the poverty and corruption of postcolonial Jamaica, his blazing, simultaneous rise to the top of the charts and the Most Wanted list.

Themes
musicmusicMore like thisLess of this
Setting
1980s1980sMore like thisLess of thisCaribbeanCaribbeanMore like thisLess of thisJamaicaJamaicaMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 399 pages

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Liked The Harder They Come? Here’s where I’d start.

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“If it was the Jamaica that hooked you, try one of these.”

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“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

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