How to Say Babylon: A Memoir
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- Create Date：2023-10-27 00:19:34
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Safiya Sinclair
- ISBN：1982132337
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Summary
With echoes of Educated and Born a Crime， How to Say Babylon is the stunning story of the author’s struggle to break free of her rigid Rastafarian upbringing， ruled by her father’s strict patriarchal views and repressive control of her childhood， to find her own voice as a woman and poet。
Throughout her childhood， Safiya Sinclair’s father， a volatile reggae musician and militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari， became obsessed with her purity， in particular， with the threat of what Rastas call Babylon， the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world outside their home。 He worried that womanhood would make Safiya and her sisters morally weak and impure， and believed a woman’s highest virtue was her obedience。
In an effort to keep Babylon outside the gate， he forbade almost everything。 In place of pants， the women in her family were made to wear long skirts and dresses to cover their arms and legs， head wraps to cover their hair， no make-up， no jewelry， no opinions， no friends。 Safiya’s mother， while loyal to her father， nonetheless gave Safiya and her siblings the gift of books， including poetry， to which Safiya latched on for dear life。 And as Safiya watched her mother struggle voicelessly for years under housework and the rigidity of her father’s beliefs， she increasingly used her education as a sharp tool with which to find her voice and break free。 Inevitably， with her rebellion comes clashes with her father， whose rage and paranoia explodes in increasing violence。 As Safiya’s voice grows， lyrically and poetically， a collision course is set between them。
How to Say Babylon is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that initially nourished but ultimately sought to silence her; it is her reckoning with patriarchy and tradition， and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica。 Rich in lyricism and language only a poet could evoke， How to Say Babylon is both a universal story of a woman finding her own power and a unique glimpse into a rarefied world we may know how to name， Rastafari， but one we know little about。'
Throughout her childhood， Safiya Sinclair’s father， a volatile reggae musician and militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari， became obsessed with her purity， in particular， with the threat of what Rastas call Babylon， the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world outside their home。 He worried that womanhood would make Safiya and her sisters morally weak and impure， and believed a woman’s highest virtue was her obedience。
In an effort to keep Babylon outside the gate， he forbade almost everything。 In place of pants， the women in her family were made to wear long skirts and dresses to cover their arms and legs， head wraps to cover their hair， no make-up， no jewelry， no opinions， no friends。 Safiya’s mother， while loyal to her father， nonetheless gave Safiya and her siblings the gift of books， including poetry， to which Safiya latched on for dear life。 And as Safiya watched her mother struggle voicelessly for years under housework and the rigidity of her father’s beliefs， she increasingly used her education as a sharp tool with which to find her voice and break free。 Inevitably， with her rebellion comes clashes with her father， whose rage and paranoia explodes in increasing violence。 As Safiya’s voice grows， lyrically and poetically， a collision course is set between them。
How to Say Babylon is Sinclair’s reckoning with the culture that initially nourished but ultimately sought to silence her; it is her reckoning with patriarchy and tradition， and the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica。 Rich in lyricism and language only a poet could evoke， How to Say Babylon is both a universal story of a woman finding her own power and a unique glimpse into a rarefied world we may know how to name， Rastafari， but one we know little about。'
Reviews
Callie
，
3。5 stars。 Would be a full 4 but the author was too poetic。 Sometimes it was hard to determine reality from poetic symbolism。
Katelyn
，
This book left me completely speechless。 It was written so beautifully and detailed that I felt myself in many situations with Safiya。 She writes openly about many dark and traumatic experiences including racism， sexual assault， and complex family dynamics。 She also writes about the important history of Jamaica and Rastafaria I didn’t previously know anything about。 If you’re looking for a memoir that takes you on a journey - one filled with heartbreak， strength， and freedom - definitely pick th This book left me completely speechless。 It was written so beautifully and detailed that I felt myself in many situations with Safiya。 She writes openly about many dark and traumatic experiences including racism， sexual assault， and complex family dynamics。 She also writes about the important history of Jamaica and Rastafaria I didn’t previously know anything about。 If you’re looking for a memoir that takes you on a journey - one filled with heartbreak， strength， and freedom - definitely pick this one up！ 。。。more
Mary Mccauley
，
I love this story 。 You nailed it
Alicia （PrettyBrownEyeReader）
，
This is a top tier memoir。 The author is a Jamaican poet who shares her life growing up in a Rastafarian household。 Before reading this memoir， I knew very little about Rastafarian practices and beliefs。 The author does an excellent job giving the history of Rastafarians and cultural significance to Jamaica and the world。 At the same time， she gives readers a glimpse into her family dynamics in a Rastafarian household。Since the author is also a poet， she crafts breathtaking passages。 She also us This is a top tier memoir。 The author is a Jamaican poet who shares her life growing up in a Rastafarian household。 Before reading this memoir， I knew very little about Rastafarian practices and beliefs。 The author does an excellent job giving the history of Rastafarians and cultural significance to Jamaica and the world。 At the same time， she gives readers a glimpse into her family dynamics in a Rastafarian household。Since the author is also a poet， she crafts breathtaking passages。 She also uses the elements of a novel while telling her life story。 She builds suspense when there are tense scenes as well as uses foreshadowing to keep the reader on edge to keep reading。One of my favorite quotes from the book: “That living in a Rasta household was like being at a constant church， except the scripture was as variable as the sky， my father both the god of the sea and the god of the sun。I hybrid read this book。 The audiobook is read by the author。I requested and received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley。 。。。more
Linda Brunner
，
Shedding light on a little known religious sect， a compelling read yet triggering in it's telling of domestic violence and patriarchal overreach。 I was awed by the author's ability to stay focused， excel academically and write under vicious circumstances both poverty and violence ever present。 Kudos to her and to all the （young） women who walk that gauntlet and come out the other side led and nourished by their own authenticity。 I get it。 Shedding light on a little known religious sect， a compelling read yet triggering in it's telling of domestic violence and patriarchal overreach。 I was awed by the author's ability to stay focused， excel academically and write under vicious circumstances both poverty and violence ever present。 Kudos to her and to all the （young） women who walk that gauntlet and come out the other side led and nourished by their own authenticity。 I get it。 。。。more
Alexa Blart， Library Cop
，
This is such an incredibly gorgeous book—both on a technical level in terms of the beautiful， poetic prose with which the author weaves her tale， and in the fierce love that's present throughout: for Sinclair's siblings， and particularly her wonderful， complicated， self-sacrificing mother。 The comparison to Educated by Tara Westover is apt， and I definitely think that people who enjoyed that memoir will find a lot to enjoy in this one; however， I'd say that I liked How to Say Babylon much more， This is such an incredibly gorgeous book—both on a technical level in terms of the beautiful， poetic prose with which the author weaves her tale， and in the fierce love that's present throughout: for Sinclair's siblings， and particularly her wonderful， complicated， self-sacrificing mother。 The comparison to Educated by Tara Westover is apt， and I definitely think that people who enjoyed that memoir will find a lot to enjoy in this one; however， I'd say that I liked How to Say Babylon much more， just from the sheer beauty in every single one of its many complicated layers。 The final few paragraphs of the book genuinely had me in tears。 Just stunning。 。。。more
Autumn Mendez
，
Wow， this memoir is a hard hitter！ This memoir tells the story of a girl growing up in a strict Rasta household， and basically followers her all the way to now。 It is beautifully written and poetic （the author is a poet herself）， which really helps to convey the hurt and the adversities she endured really throughout her whole adolescence into adulthood。 I really do recommend this one especially if you are a fan of memoirs！ This isn’t one to miss。
TK
，
Interesting information about being Rastafarian and I learned much in those portions of the book but it was too long and rambling for me。 I would have appreciated the story more if it had been 100 pages shorter。
Amy
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4-1/2 stars。 This is a beautifully written memoir by a young Jamaican woman who was raised in a strict Rastafarian family， where the rules were decided by the whims of her authoritarian father。 Not knowing anything about the Rastafarian culture other than the stereotypes I've seen in movies or television， I learned about this lifestyle and Jamaican history。 But what will stay with me after reading this memoir is how the author was able to break away from her dysfunctional family and survive by w 4-1/2 stars。 This is a beautifully written memoir by a young Jamaican woman who was raised in a strict Rastafarian family， where the rules were decided by the whims of her authoritarian father。 Not knowing anything about the Rastafarian culture other than the stereotypes I've seen in movies or television， I learned about this lifestyle and Jamaican history。 But what will stay with me after reading this memoir is how the author was able to break away from her dysfunctional family and survive by writing poetry and her amazing story。 。。。more
Kamilah
，
I don’t even know where to begin。 First I’ll say read this now。 The hype is real。 This is the second time I’ve read a memoir written by a poet， and wow there’s just something extra special about that combination （the other one is By Harvey River by Lorna Goodison which I highly recommend）。Safiya has done something really extraordinary。 She managed to weave in an undertold part of Jamaican history， the rastafari， and what life was like growing up in living in a rastafari household as a girl， whil I don’t even know where to begin。 First I’ll say read this now。 The hype is real。 This is the second time I’ve read a memoir written by a poet， and wow there’s just something extra special about that combination （the other one is By Harvey River by Lorna Goodison which I highly recommend）。Safiya has done something really extraordinary。 She managed to weave in an undertold part of Jamaican history， the rastafari， and what life was like growing up in living in a rastafari household as a girl， while also weaving in not just her own remarkable journey but the journey of her mother， of her siblings， and of her father。 I actually cried while reading the last few pages， this was just that good and they moving。 Can’t recommend this enough。 。。。more
Sheila Garry
，
Eye opening memoir of being the daughter of a Rastafarian。 Author is also a well recognized poet and this shows in her choice of words and descriptions。 This is yet another book about women being stepped on by men and how they escape。 I can’t wait for the day when this is no longer an issue。
Kelly Green Hicks
，
Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book。 How to Say Babylon is a powerful memoir that is the current Read With Jenna book。 Safiya Sinclair tells about her upbringing in a very strict Rastafarian home in Jamaica where she and her sisters were abused for being female。 I highly recommend this book。
Maria Kast
，
absolute gorgeous writing
Katy Williams
，
"I would eventually come to understand that my mother felt called because she wanted to nurture， and my father felt called because he wanted to burn。"I am incredibly embarrassed that I had no idea that Rastafari was a religion。 I had heard of it， but thought it was just a generic catch-all term to describe aspects of Caribbean culture， and it turns out that is not at all the case。 I start this review by admitting my complete embarrassment in order to make the point that Safiya Sinclair tells Ras "I would eventually come to understand that my mother felt called because she wanted to nurture， and my father felt called because he wanted to burn。"I am incredibly embarrassed that I had no idea that Rastafari was a religion。 I had heard of it， but thought it was just a generic catch-all term to describe aspects of Caribbean culture， and it turns out that is not at all the case。 I start this review by admitting my complete embarrassment in order to make the point that Safiya Sinclair tells Rastafari's story in an incredibly thorough and moving way， so even though I knew shockingly little about it going in I felt deeply immersed in her childhood and belief system throughout the book。 She takes immense care in differentiating between the roots of the movement， which was meant to empower， its evolution over time， and the men like her father who abuse it for their own glorification。 At the end， she notes that she wishes she had learned about Rastafari for herself， instead of through her dad's lens， so it could have empowered her instead of beaten her down， and I found this conclusion of being able to separate the abusive man from the positive aspects of the ideology inspiring。The summary of this book states it has "echoes of Educated"， and I'd say if you loved Educated you should definitely read this book。 Safiya and her siblings are trapped in an abusive， patriarchal， religiously militant household， and ultimately are able to use access to education to escape。 Sinclair is a poet so her writing is mesmerizing， and she devotes immense time to exploring the issues of belonging as a Black woman in a nation that was built on slavery and colonialism， on top of her struggles in her home。 She finds poetry because of her desperate struggle to be seen and heard by anyone in her life， and the journey is worth the read。 。。。more
Reader
，
Really illuminating memoir but not a must read。 The writing was poetic and beautiful despite the incredibly dark subject matter。 Because it was so dark and often long winded it had a hard time holding my attention so I found myself drifting away from reading while getting through this book。 Otherwise a well written memoir which talks about a niche sect of Jamaican culture， familial strife， and colonial history。
Susan Hasler
，
A wonderful story of courage to be oneself and grace to forgive。
Nancy Singel Baker
，
Unfair to compare this with “Educated。” This book is head & shoulders better， plus it’s actually believable。 Memoir of a poet who grew up in an increasingly rigid Rastafarian Jamaican home。 I love how the power of both women & education overcome an abusive way of life。
Christine
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I did not realize this coming of age story of black Jamaican （eldest daughter） Safiya which starts extremely slowly was a memoir until I was about 2/3 through。 I definitely enjoyed the book more than i thought after the slow beginning but for sure it’s too long and repetitive。 I always associated Rastafarians with weed， reggae and mellowness but Safiya’s dad is sexist， misogynistic and abusive， both physically and emotionally。 Safiya goes to a private high school with whites and never quite fits I did not realize this coming of age story of black Jamaican （eldest daughter） Safiya which starts extremely slowly was a memoir until I was about 2/3 through。 I definitely enjoyed the book more than i thought after the slow beginning but for sure it’s too long and repetitive。 I always associated Rastafarians with weed， reggae and mellowness but Safiya’s dad is sexist， misogynistic and abusive， both physically and emotionally。 Safiya goes to a private high school with whites and never quite fits in and eventually makes her way to the US where education （writing， poetry） is her key to a better life。 I was struck by her decision to continue her tumultuous relationship with her father。 。。。more
Aly
，
fave book of the year for sure。 1） a memoir written by a poet is beautiful。 2） learning about something I was so wrong about （rastafari） was fascinating and makes me wonder about other assumptions I’ve made about religions， or other complex ideas。 the pace was great。 I could’ve read this straight through if it wasn’t for night reading and falling asleep ha！
Jennie Maier
，
Honestly this took me quite a while to get into。 I just couldn’t fathom the horrible oppression Safiya， her siblings and mother lived under！ And the unwavering love she had for her father。 That she could still find beauty and write the poetry that she did is remarkable。 It’s also remarkable that she didn’t hand onto the horror and hatred for her father。 Or her mother for not being strong enough to keep her kids safe。 But kudos to her mom for empowering the kids to become educated and year to be Honestly this took me quite a while to get into。 I just couldn’t fathom the horrible oppression Safiya， her siblings and mother lived under！ And the unwavering love she had for her father。 That she could still find beauty and write the poetry that she did is remarkable。 It’s also remarkable that she didn’t hand onto the horror and hatred for her father。 Or her mother for not being strong enough to keep her kids safe。 But kudos to her mom for empowering the kids to become educated and year to be and do more than what they were born into。 Truly wouldn’t have even thought to read this but glad I did upon it being a JBH pick！！ I’m intrigued by the author’s tenacity and ability to leave and live in the Foreign and make herself happy。 Kinda wonder if she had had any romantic relationships given all the stuff she lived with as a child。 Movingly beautiful memoir！！ 。。。more
Missy
，
4。5⭐️
Vern
，
Poetic， layered and rich。 One of the best memoirs I have EVER read。
Anita Schoenmaker
，
After reading such a heart breaking emotional autobiography every word seems insufficient to write a review。 The author has had such a difficult childhood and is such a strong person， I’ll think about this for a while after finishing it。 She is a poet which definitely shows in her writing。 The way their family relations changed during time and how she fought to be herself was written very beautifully。
Polly
，
Very few books have brought me to tears。 This one did。 It’s beautifully written， poetic， visceral， informative about Jamaica and Rastafarianism， making visible the connections between modern-day familial violence and centuries of colonial brutality… it’s awesome。 Highly recommend。 I want to read more from Safiya Sinclair。
Trina
，
Absolutely breathtaking writing， the threads that Sinclair weaves throughout the chapters， and the way they all come together in the end are sheer perfection。 Its an incredibly well thought out story， open-ended in that perfect way that only memoirs can be。 Reminded me how much I love reading memoirs from people who truly have a gift with words， they have a way of perceiving their own place in the world that fills me with envy。 I wish I could be as steady in telling my story。
Brenda Barbour
，
I cannot remember the last book that I loved as much as this one。 The layers （beautiful writing， complex situations， a protagonist you want to cheer for） just made me want to read it every minute of every day。 Having finished the memoir in a few short days， I am going to buy some of Safiya Sinclair’s poetry now。
Laura
，
A great memoir and a selection for my 2023 favorites list。 However， I was disappointed that there were no recollections of her college years （how did it feel to finally get there？） and the focus of the book consistently remained on her father's behavior。 A great memoir and a selection for my 2023 favorites list。 However， I was disappointed that there were no recollections of her college years （how did it feel to finally get there？） and the focus of the book consistently remained on her father's behavior。 。。。more
Amina Makele
，
This is a powerful story of finding oneself in adversity。 Although Safiya dearly loves her family， she cannot cope with her father’s oppression， physical abuse and the patriarchal Rastafari strictures。 Touching on the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica， class and education， the books’ wide-ranging themes are cleverly woven together to make the reader reflect。 However， I really struggled with the audiobook narration and it felt a tad long， with some overwritten descriptions。Read my full review on m This is a powerful story of finding oneself in adversity。 Although Safiya dearly loves her family， she cannot cope with her father’s oppression， physical abuse and the patriarchal Rastafari strictures。 Touching on the legacy of colonialism in Jamaica， class and education， the books’ wide-ranging themes are cleverly woven together to make the reader reflect。 However， I really struggled with the audiobook narration and it felt a tad long， with some overwritten descriptions。Read my full review on my blog aminasbookshelf。com （IG @aminasbookshelf）。 。。。more
Bukola Akinyemi
，
Wow！ Just wow！！！ This book is extremely interesting， engaging and enlightening。 It sheds light on the Rastafarian lifestyle， its origin and the different groups in the Mansions of Rastafari。Through the eyes of a brilliant young lady growing up under a strict Rasta father along with her mother and siblings， we see what family life was for the Sinclair household and how they relate with the outside world。This book reminds me a lot of Educated by Tara Westover which I also really enjoyed reading。 A Wow！ Just wow！！！ This book is extremely interesting， engaging and enlightening。 It sheds light on the Rastafarian lifestyle， its origin and the different groups in the Mansions of Rastafari。Through the eyes of a brilliant young lady growing up under a strict Rasta father along with her mother and siblings， we see what family life was for the Sinclair household and how they relate with the outside world。This book reminds me a lot of Educated by Tara Westover which I also really enjoyed reading。 A powerful and controlling father with extreme views can do a lot of damage to his family even if his motives are good。 Grit， resilience， education， excellence， love and forgiveness are some of the themes in this book。 Along with motherhood， sibling love， abuse and protection。 Safiya Sinclair is a poet and this shows in the richness of the writing in this book。 Earlier this year， I read another book about a Rasta and his hair， Augustown by Kei Miller， another Jamaican poet。 Both books are 5 star reads。 。。。more
Ryan
，
A young Safiya Sinclair grew up in a household dominated by her pugnacious father who was a Rastafari。 Her father spoke of the world outside of their family’s home and outside of Rastafari as fire and brimstone。 He calls it “Babylon”。 Obsessed with Safiya staying “pure”， her father slowly tightens his grip on what she can and can’t do。 Though her mother does not challenge her father， she gives Safiya the gift of books and poetry which become Safiya’s lifeboat and way out of her father’s domain。 A young Safiya Sinclair grew up in a household dominated by her pugnacious father who was a Rastafari。 Her father spoke of the world outside of their family’s home and outside of Rastafari as fire and brimstone。 He calls it “Babylon”。 Obsessed with Safiya staying “pure”， her father slowly tightens his grip on what she can and can’t do。 Though her mother does not challenge her father， she gives Safiya the gift of books and poetry which become Safiya’s lifeboat and way out of her father’s domain。 As Safiya discovers her voice she and her father edge closer to confrontation that may end in scorched Earth。 A beautiful memoir about the love of learning， reading， and creativity in finding your voice， Sinclair moves mountains and transports you to Montego Bay。 Safiya lights a candle and takes you through a journey spanning over two decades and it’s one that will stay with you forever 。。。more
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how to say babylon a memoir by safiya sinclair how to say babylon a memoir how to say babylon a jamaican memoir