Britons Through Negro Spectacles

By: ABC Merriman-Labor, Bernardine Evaristo - introduction

Narrated by: Bernardine Evaristo, Mohammed Mansary

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

Critic reviews

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

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

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