To my great shame I must admit I hadn't read anything by Jamaica Kincaid before this collection. I had heard of her, even had a book or two of hers on my To Read-List, and yet I hadn't gotten around to it. I don't know why, but when I saw this collection of her non-fiction writing, I figured it would be a great entry into Kincaid's mind and writing. And it was! Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Not every fiction author is also a good non-fiction writer. Both non-fiction and fiction rely on a strong authorial voice, on the successful creation of a storyworld, and an ability to keep a reader hooked, but these elements can work in drastically different ways depending on the genre and the goal of the text. I have found it quite interesting to approach a fiction author through their non-fiction writing first, to see how they describe our primary world, what their thoughts are, and how they put those into words, before diving into their fictional writing. I did this with Ursula K. Le Guin as well, falling in love with her writing in No Time to Spare before finally reading The Left Hand of Darkness and The Word for World is Forest. I know that, in theory, the author is dead (as in, the author figure, see Roland Barthes), and usually I'm quite big on separating author and art. But sometimes the person and the life they have lived can enrich a reading experience, or perhaps add an extra layer of understanding to your reading. This is how I chose to approach Jamaica Kincaid as well, seeing our own world through her eyes first and then following her into her fictional creations.

There are too many pieces of writing in Putting Myself Together to even attempt a rough summary of it all. So rather, I'll address some of the recurrent themes which stood out to me. One was, very clearly, her connection to Antigua and Barbuda, where she was born and lived for the first seventeen years of her life. Her experiences under colonial rule, how the imposed British education system worked on her, how she loved so much about Antigua and about her family, and yet how desperate she was to get away, it all comes out very strongly in her writing and you can trace how these things change and develop for her across the decades covered by the writings collected here. This is also tightly connected to her relationship with her mother, which is marked by intense love and ever-growing distance and dislike. I admire Kincaid for her honesty in how she excavates these complicated feelings in herself, the push-and-pull of a mother-daughter relationship, complicated by the world, sons/brothers, and everything else. In the later writings, when her mother has dies and Kincaid has children of her own, there is a touching new awareness in her writing about it, which doesn't lessen what came before but rather gives its extra depth. Her experiences under colonialism also informs her writing about racism in its various forms and I did have to say I delighted somewhat cruelly in her strong distaste for England. Another major theme is her gardening, which naturally entails conversations not just of tulip types and the best time to plant and water, but also considerations on colonialism, who owns the earth, the joy of watching something grow, the patience and submission to nature required of gardening, and more. I discovered the joy of gardening myself a year or two back and so really enjoyed reading Kincaid's thoughts on it.

In his introduction to this volume, Henry Louis Gates Jr. writes that Kincaid "has a sense of what it takes to become a person, to put yourself together. Becoming is an act of invention, tested by the real". (Quote may differ in published version.) This ended up also being what stood out to me most clearly from Kincaid's writing. She communicates the way in which we are shaped by the outside world, yes, but also the way in which we can choose what we put on, how we put ourselves together, which things we accept and which we don't. That process of becoming is an invention, yes, but it is based on actual insights into the real world, on sharply dissecting not just the world but also one's self. Kincaid spares no one and nothing, including herself, in these pieces and I truly do think that it is only in this way that one can become as unflinchingly oneself the way Kincaid seems to have done. Naturally, with a collection that spans decades the way Putting Myself Together does, there are bound to be pieces that hit and those that don't. I imagine editing the collection would have been difficult, trying to find that fine line between showing growth and development and preventing repetition of themes. It is probably best to read this in various sittings, dropping in for a story or two and letting them cook, rather than reading it all in one or two goes. Whether you're already a Kincaid-reader or, like me, are new-ish to her, I can recommend Putting Myself Together for the insight not just into a person but into an author as well.

Putting Myself Together is a fascinating look inside Kincaid's mind, into how she sees the world and the way she and the world interacted to make her who she is.

i adore kincaid's voice, tone and style. it's that much more distinct in her essays than in the one work of fiction i read by her (so far), lucy. anger, playfulness, experimentation, this essay collection has a wide range. quite naturally, considering the time span between the texts. i happen to appreciate the earlier essays more. the second half of the book is filled with mostly garden/gardening related essays and it got a little boring to me. most of them are quite short though, so it's not too bad. the essays on her home country, family and colonization i devoured. i wanted to read longer texts on these subjects from her, which only goes to prove how much i need to read more of her books!

Previously unacquainted with Kincaid, I don't think I am the right audience for this book. I did enjoy her writings about how it felt to be an Antiguan facing her history and the history of the island, especially that relating to Britain and British colonialism. Her essays cover so many important topics, including colonialism and post-colonial life, race, gender, parents, and pop culture. However, her writing style did not resonate with me and left me feeling reluctant to pick up the book a few times: as another reviewer wrote, some of the essays dragged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the ARC.

I recently discovered Jamaica Kincaid's work and have been reading her backlist titles. I was thrilled to see this collection of her print stories compiled together in one volume, from her days at The New Yorker and other publications. Kindcaid excels in her honest, blunt observations of Black culture, life in America, and cultural criticism on many topics relevant to her experience. This book is a wonderful collection of literary nonfiction.

FSG pools together Kincaid’s (b. 1949) non-fic work, with the earliest published in 1974. Putting Myself Together covers the following topics: (1) the English colonizing Antigua, Kinkaid’s birth country, (2) American politics, race, and racism, focused from an African American perspective; (3) the transformation of Kincaid’s relationship with her mother, turning turbulent as Kincaid ages; and (4) gardening.

Interestingly, the essays are ordered by publication date and also generally by the sequence of the listed topics. As such, the pieces on politics will be dated; still, their value lies in Kincaid’s assessments, which consistently take on a polemical tone. On the one hand, on a content level, her political discussions in her earlier, critical works intrigued me more. On the other hand, I generally prefer a less abrasive approach, so the latter on horticulture appealed to me more. Naturally, given the piecing together of the author’s writings, readers will get to know her fraught relationship with her mom, if not in detail, then at least the shape of it. The repetition suggests that Kincaid’s mom’s existence truly influences “every action” and “completely infuses” Kincaid’s life.

To Gates’s (Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard) point in his wonderful introduction (which he reworks in the August 21st edition of The New York Review), Kincaid displays her voice in “an age of critical theory” and showcases her work of criticism alongside other black writers. We shouldn’t miss Kincaid’s contributions to African American literary history. I rate Putting Myself Together 3.5 stars.

My thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for an ARC. I shared this review on GoodReads on August 16, 2025 (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7780048803).

An immense collection of Jamaica Kincaid. I was eager to read this because I hadn't had any engagement with Jamaica, and I didn't know she had a huge non-fiction oeuvre. While her writing style was not for me, the breadth of subject matter that Jamaica writes on is surely impressive. Fans of Jamaica Kincaid will love this collection.

I kind of thought I knew what to expect going into this collection of Kincaid's writing, but was blown away by the depth of these pieces and the quality of her writing overall. I think this is a book that is good for those who aren't familiar with Kincaid's work and die hard fans in general, as the subject of these essays are broad and compiled from different publications. All in all: I enjoyed this a lot!

This collection of essays were so thought provoking and uniquely written. I laughed and also felt profound sadness and gratitude. The way Kincaid writes is so descriptive and full of imagery. This is my first time reading Kincaid’s writing and I can’t wait to read more of her work. She’s clearly a literary genius.

Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity of reading this book as an E-arc <3

This collection blew me away. Her observations are so interesting and well thought out... each eassy made me pause and reflect multiple times while reading, which is so impressive. Not a single miss!

jamaica kincaid has long been regarded as an esteemed contemporary writer, and this collection of her works from 1974 up to the current decade is a testament to her indelible influence within the writing sphere.

kincaid is one of those essential authors whose works i read in passing when i was back in undergrad and still pursuing my bfa in creative writing. back then, “unapologetic” was the word that immediately came to mind at first encounter.

this collection only cements this impression, as kincaid makes a wide breadth of topics come alive with her dynamic wit and refreshing insight. with her unique voice, she finds a good balance between the tense, angry edge that is apt for discussing colonialism, the black identity, and women finding their footing in the world. she does so while carrying an intimate acknowledgement and desire for understanding that puts these collected works into more depth.

reading this left me with the feeling that i was being constantly challenged to be more present and reflect on how i see the world, especially as i grow older. and i think that’s a good hallmark of what effective essay writing is, at the end of the day—it pushes you to pay attention in ways you haven’t really been able to before.

i did enjoy this, even if some parts tend to drag on (mostly the latter ones, where kincaid was writing for architectural digest and in her mellowed out garden writing, which is totally a personal preference), and i recommend it to anyone looking to get acquainted with jamaica kincaid’s works.

thank you again to netgalley and fsg for sending me an ARC for this!

Jamaica Kincaid put together a collection of her finest essays from her early days at The Village Voice through her time at The New Yorker (1974-). The collection covers a range of topics such as race, pop culture, politics, her love of gardens, Antigua, her complicated relationship with her mother and her childhood upbringing. Her writing is raw, humorous, honest, and thought provoking. The vivid imagery of Antigua, her garden, flowers, Muhammad Ali and Pam Grier made me feel as is I was immersed in the setting. The first half of the collection is my favorite.

Some of the essays made the collection feel like a drag to read but I made it through to the end. As much as I love gardens and contrary to what Kincaid may say, you can definitely have too many books about gardening! I felt this way after the 3rd essay on the topic. Here’s a few of my favorite quotes:

“Even if I really came from people who were living like monkeys in trees, it was better to be that than what happened to me, what I became after I met you.” Conference Presentation: Jamaica Kincaid

“Words are superior to a picture because words make a picture; a picture is just by itself—it frustrates; it will remain itself no matter what you do, no matter what you say; it will only offer likenesses, comparisons.” Christmas Pictures From A Warm Climate

“What to do in a world like that with a man like that?” The Little Revenge from the Periphery

“…but then again, I am always thinking of my mother; I believe every action of a certain kind that I make is completely influenced by her, completely infused with her realness, her existence in my life.” The Estrangement

“it is evidence of the ignorance, the absence of moral knowledge and feeling, the realization once again that the people who lay claim to the “Enlightenment” needed enlightenment and that the rest of us were perfectly okay and that because of them we are in search of something that some of us already knew…” A Letter to Robinson Crusoe

Thank you to Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the opportunity to read the arc!

Jamaica Kincaid is a fantastic fiction writer. To delve into her non-fiction and discover she is a better non-fiction writer is a delight. She is always honest with the reader even when they might not like what she has to say. Everyone should listen to what she has to say.

I have not previously read any Jamaica Kincaid but after reading this collection I have added several of her other books onto my reading list.
A varied collection of topics covered over a long expanse of time (1974-2020), really insightful takes, had me shaking my head, laughing and nodding along, sometimes within the same essay/

A brilliant collection. I don't think I had ever read anything by Jamaica Kincaid before, but now I definitely want to read more of her work. Such acute, striking observations of colonialism and growing up in Antigua. A masterclass in narrating one's life, putting the pieces together in a way that feels both artful and authentic. I couldn't stop reading - her voice is so compelling.

Annie John is one of my favourite books, amongst a handful of her others. There are some interesting essays here, but there’s something about her non fiction that doesn’t connect for me. I liked A Small Place, but I struggled with Among Flowers and this collection has the same vibe for me. I didn’t want it to affect the way I view her fiction so I stopped reading it.

I must admit I didn't know anything about Jamaica Kinkaid and I was attracted by the cover and a gut istinct
Well done: i loved the storytelling, style of writing, the originality and I discovered a complex and very clever writer and got another book by her
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Very unique voice. Funny and honest. Whether she’s writing about her childhood, colonialism, or gardening, her words cut straight to the core.

Reading this felt like a great conversation with someone so much smarter than me. Having only read her work in the New Yorker, this was a great entry point. Reminds me what good nonfiction can do—move us, challenge us, and change how we see the world.

Thank you Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own!

this book consist of deeply personal collection of nonfiction that showcases the evolution of one of today’s most original literary voices. spanning from her early days at The Village Voice to her refined work at The New Yorker, this collection offers a fascinating glimpse into Kincaid’s thoughts, experiences, and sharp perspective on the world. her writing is fearless—she never holds back. whether she’s recounting her Antiguan upbringing, dissecting colonialism, or finding deeper meaning in gardening, her prose is always insightful and unapologetically honest. she has an incredible way of making personal reflections feel universal, challenging readers to question power, identity, and history in ways they might not have before.

one of the most compelling things about poems is the author's distinct voice. she writes with wit, humor, and precision, effortlessly weaving the personal with the political. Her essays aren’t just thought-provoking—they’re alive with energy, refusing to conform to traditional expectations. her take on gardening, for instance, isn’t just about plants; it’s about colonization, control, and the ways history continues to shape the present. this collection also highlights the author's literary evolution, showing how her writing has deepened over the years while retaining its signature edge. fans of her fiction will appreciate the lyrical, sharp style, while newcomers will find this an exciting entry point into her work. It’s intimate yet unsentimental, critical yet full of depth.

this book is for anyone who loves essays that challenge and inspire. whether you’re a longtime Kincaid fan or discovering her for the first time, this collection is a testament to her brilliance, originality, and lasting influence in the literary world.

4 stars!