Soul Tourists

Soul Tourists follows Stanley Williams and Jessie O'Donnell, an unlikely pair who embark on a road trip from London through Europe to the Middle East in the 1980s. The journey begins when Stanley, a reserved bank clerk of Caribbean descent, meets the outspoken and free-spirited Jessie at a London pub. During their travels, Stanley encounters the ghosts of historical Black European figures who reveal their forgotten stories and contributions to European history. These supernatural encounters occur as the couple navigate their way through France, Italy, Austria, and beyond. The novel's innovative structure combines traditional prose with poetry, theatrical scripts, and documentary-style elements. This experimental form mirrors the unconventional nature of both the physical journey and Stanley's spiritual awakening. Soul Tourists explores themes of identity, belonging, and the erasure of Black European history through a narrative that challenges conventional storytelling formats. The novel raises questions about how personal and historical memory intersect, and examines the complexities of modern relationships across cultural divides.

Readers found the experimental format and ghost encounters creative but challenging to follow. Many noted the book requires patience and close attention to appreciate its blend of poetry and prose. Readers appreciated: - Vivid descriptions of 1980s European road trips - Commentary on race and history - Character development of Stanley and Jessie - Integration of historical figures Common criticisms: - Confusing narrative structure - Uneven pacing, especially in middle sections - Ghost storylines feel disconnected from main plot - Poetry sections disrupt flow for some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (15 ratings) Several readers mentioned abandoning the book partway through due to its experimental style. One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "The concept is fascinating but the execution left me lost." Others praised Evaristo's ambition, with an Amazon reviewer noting: "It challenges you to piece together history through an entirely new lens."

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🔸 Bernardine Evaristo became the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize in 2019 for "Girl, Woman, Other," almost 15 years after publishing "Soul Tourists" 🔸 The ghostly historical figures Stanley meets include Alessandro de' Medici, the first Black head of state in the modern Western world, who ruled Florence in the 16th century 🔸 The book's innovative format combines verse, prose, and script elements - a technique Evaristo calls "fusion fiction," which she developed throughout her career 🔸 The 1980s European setting reflects a period of significant social and political change, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and shifting attitudes toward multiculturalism 🔸 Many of the historical Black European figures featured in the novel were previously unknown to most readers, highlighting Evaristo's commitment to uncovering forgotten histories