Britons Through Negro Spectacles, ABC MerrimanLabor
Britons Through Negro Spectacles, ABC MerrimanLabor
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Britons Through Negro Spectacles

Author: ABC Merriman-Labor, Bernardine Evaristo

Series: Black Britain: Writing Back #10

Narrator: Bernardine Evaristo, Mohammed Mansary

Unabridged: 4 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 02/03/2022


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

'We shall therefore confine our walk to Central London where people meet on business during the day, and to West London where they meet for pleasure at night. If you will walk about the first City in the British Empire arm in arm with Merriman-Labor, you are sure to see Britons in merriment and at labour, by night and by day, in West and Central London.'

In Britons Through Negro Spectacles Merriman-Labor takes us on a joyous, intoxicating tour of London at the turn of the 20th century. Slyly subverting the colonial gaze usually placed on Africa, he introduces us to the citizens, culture and customs of Britain with a mischievous glint in his eye. This incredible work of social commentary feels a century ahead of its time, and provides unique insights into the intersection between empire, race and community at this important moment in history.

Selected by Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, this series rediscovers and celebrates pioneering books depicting black Britain that remap the nation.

© ABC Merriman-Labor 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Reviews

Goodreads review by Julia on March 31, 2025

I thought given the number of 19th and early 20th century British novels that I've read for school or otherwise that this witty travelogue novel would elicit a chuckle. No, it's not my sense of humor. However, I did appreciate the critiques of hypocritical British Imperialism.......more

Goodreads review by Kev on April 13, 2022

This is a lovely wee number - originally published in 1909 it's a kind of satirical ethnography of the British, in all their ridiculousness and customs, written by a well-travelled Sierra Leonean. It's got that quality of the writer being kind of indifferent to the madness of greedy landlords, the p......more

Goodreads review by stevie on June 12, 2024

Great read This book gives an insight to a lost age and you are drawn in to a stroll round London in the early 20th century taking in all the sights and sounds of the time with this honored guest. Very good.......more

Goodreads review by Riley-Grace on February 06, 2025

Delightful, quippy, and so ahead of its time. I already can't wait to return to this one.......more

Goodreads review by Johanna on November 03, 2025

A great concept and funny in parts though dated. Also just interesting to see a snapshot of London in the 1900s.......more


Quotes

Merriman-Labor was clearly way ahead of his time with this razor-sharp satire, with many of his observations both painfully accurate and not entirely without humour Buzz Magazine

Fascinating . . . A jaunty travelogue set in London at the turn of the twentieth century . . . inverts a colonial gaze to subvert the culture and customs of Britain with wit, pastiche, satire and social commentary Wasafiri

A.B.C. Merriman-Labor [is] a pioneer of West African literature who speaks truth to power using irony and wit The Sierra Leone Telegraph