the best of everything

by Roisin O’Donnell

The wonder of this beautiful, soul-stirring novel is that it puts you so firmly in the experience of another. Every word, whether spoken by the protagonist Paulette, or general description, is from the point of view of a Black woman living in 1970s Britain. Racial descriptors are only used for White characters. Status, class and expectation are all weighed against those of a person working as an auxiliary nurse living in public housing. Any contact with the police is so dangerous it is potentially life-destroying.

This is a tale of quiet resilience and deep-seated love. The story thrives on its intimate portrayal of Paulette’s world. We experience the pride in a crisp uniform, the weight of every penny saved, and Paulette’s fierce devotion to her son and confusion at her attachment to an unknown White child. As well as her perceptive insights into British social hierarchies, and the exhausting mental gymnastics needed to navigate a society that views her as insignificant at best and a threat at worst. This brief but powerful book proves that with enough love and an open mind, the Best of Everything can be found outside the boundaries of traditional family and material wealth.