Young-1
2015 Nominated

Gloria

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Jamaica, 1938. Gloria Campbell is sixteen years old when a single violent act changes her life forever. She and her younger sister flee their hometown to forge a new life in Kingston. As all around them the city convulses with political change, Gloria’s desperation and striking beauty lead her to Sybil and Beryl, and a house of ill-repute where she meets Yang Pao, a Kingston racketeer whose destiny becomes irresistibly bound with her own.
Sybil kindles in Gloria a fire of social justice which will propel her to Cuba and a personal and political awakening that she must reconcile with the realities of her life, her love of Jamaica and a past that is never far behind her.
Set against the turbulent backdrop of a country on the cusp of a new era, Gloria is an enthralling and illuminating story of love and redemption.

 

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Kerry
Young

Kerry Young was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to a Chinese father and a mother of mixed Chinese-African heritage. She came to England in 1965 and lives in Leicestershire.

Kerry Young was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to a Chinese father and a mother of mixed Chinese-African heritage. She came to England in 1965 and lives in Leicestershire.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find any translators matching your search. Please try using different keywords or check back later as we regularly update our collection.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Gloria is a tale of Jamaica’s personal and political awakening in the mid 1900s told through the life of a young girl but at its core it is a heartfelt love letter to Jamaica’s past.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
16/07/2013
Author
Publisher
Bloomsbury

RELATED FEATURES

News November 19 2025

2026 Nominations Revealed

69 titles have been nominated by 80 libraries from 36 countries for the 2026 Award
News November 19 2025

2026 Dublin Literary Award Judges Announced

Meet our judging panel for 2026 Dublin Literary Award
Video May 26 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Winning author Michael Crummey in conversation with Madeleine Keane at the International Literature Festival Dublin.
News May 23 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.