How to Say Babylon

Safiya Sinclair’s memoir is a lyrical and ferocious exploration of growing up within a strict Rastafarian household and carving out space for her own voice. Her prose is lush and poetic, reflecting her training as a poet while capturing the intensity of childhood constraint. Sinclair writes with emotional honesty about family, rebellion, and the search for artistic freedom. The book navigates trauma and tenderness with equal skill, revealing how belief systems can both sustain and suffocate. It is a powerful coming-of-age story about the costs and triumphs of self-definition. Deeply affecting and beautifully written.