Red Jacket

2015 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize 2015 — Short-listed

As she comes into adulthood, Grace confronts the mystery of her own identity and the story of her birth mother in this sprawling, large-hearted novel.


Growing up on the Caribbean island of St. Chris, Grace Carpenter never feels like she really belongs. Although her large, extended family is black, she is a redibo. Her skin is copper-coloured, her hair is red, and her eyes are grey. A neighbour taunts her, calling her "a little red jacket," but the reason for the insult is never explained. Only much later does Grace learn the story of her birth mother and decipher the mystery surrounding her true identity.


"A compelling tale of faith and family, ranging from the dusty landscapes of West Africa to the rich flavours of the Caribbean." — WILL FERGUSON, Giller Prize–winning author of 419