Sweetness in the Skin

Robinson’s winning debut novel is a touching coming-of-age story that takes place in Jamaica and follows 13-year-old Pumkin Patterson, who yearns to move to France and live with her beloved Aunt Sophie. Pumkin discovers that her knack for baking tasty Jamaican puddings and cakes could be a profitable way to pay for her costly French exam, but sticky obstacles abound with her neglectful mother, school policies, and issues of race, class, and generational trauma. Pumkin relies on herself to navigate these unfolding challenges, but she needs support from those who truly love her to endure. British actor Deja Bowens narrates, employing an engaging cadence and rhythm and capturing the variety of Jamaican accents present in Pumkin’s wide-ranging community. Bowens’s performance and conversational tone turn Pumkin’s narrative into a delicious treat for the ears and will have listeners rooting for her to move on from her setbacks and discover her life’s next chapter.