Picture a Barbadian storyteller who weaves tales of resilience and heartbreak against the backdrop of sun-soaked beaches—meet Cherie Jones! A lawyer by day and a literary star by night, Jones burst onto the global scene with her debut novel, How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House, a gripping story that earned a spot on the 2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist. Her vivid prose and unflinching exploration of domestic violence have made her a standout voice in Caribbean literature.
Born in Barbados in 1974, Jones balances her legal career with her passion for storytelling, drawing from her own experiences as a single mother and survivor of domestic violence to craft narratives that resonate deeply. Let’s dive into her journey, from her roots in Bridgetown to her rise as an internationally acclaimed author.
The Making of Cherie Jones
Cherie Jones grew up in Barbados, where the vibrant island culture and its complex social dynamics shaped her worldview. After earning her LLB from the University of the West Indies in 1995, she was admitted to the Bar in 1997, building a career as a copyright attorney and general counsel for a government agency. But writing was her true calling. Jones began penning stories as a child, and her talent shone early, winning the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 1999 for her story Bride. In 2015, she completed an MA in Writing at Sheffield Hallam University, where her dissertation earned the Archie Markham Award and the A.M. Heath Prize, setting the stage for her literary breakthrough.
Cherie Jones’s Unforgettable Stories
Jones’s debut novel, How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House (2021), is a tour de force set on the fictional Baxter’s Beach in Barbados. The story follows Lala, a hair-braider entangled in an abusive marriage, as a tourist’s murder unravels a web of violence, race, and class. Critics, including Lawrence Hill, praised its poetic prose and layered characters, calling it “simply brilliant.” The novel’s non-linear structure and rich Bajan dialogue capture the island’s beauty and its underbelly, earning it a Good Morning America Book Club pick.
Before her novel, Jones published The Burning Bush Women & Other Stories (2004), a collection of interconnected tales exploring Caribbean women’s lives. Her short fiction has appeared in outlets like PANK and The Feminist Wire, showcasing her ability to blend raw emotion with sharp social commentary. Currently, Jones is working on a novel set in post-emancipation Trinidad and a flash fiction collection, promising more stories that challenge and captivate.
Her writing style is both lyrical and unflinching, weaving Bajan culture with universal themes of survival and trauma. Jones doesn’t shy away from tough topics like domestic violence, instead using her stories to ask poignant questions about its roots and ripple effects, as she noted in a 2022 interview: “I hope my novel asks good questions about the cycle of violence.”
Why Cherie Jones Matters
Cherie Jones is more than a writer—she’s a voice for the voiceless, shining a light on the often-ignored struggles of Caribbean women. Her work challenges the postcard image of Barbados, revealing the grit beneath the paradise. As a survivor, her advocacy for domestic violence awareness adds authenticity and urgency to her stories, inspiring readers and writers across the Caribbean diaspora. Her international acclaim, from the Women’s Prize to the OCM Bocas Prize nomination, signals her growing influence in global literature.
Jones’s ability to balance a demanding legal career, motherhood, and writing makes her a role model for aspiring authors, proving that passion can thrive alongside responsibility. Her stories resonate because they’re rooted in truth, offering both heartache and hope.
- Born: 1974, Barbados
- Key Works: How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House, The Burning Bush Women & Other Stories
- Awards: Commonwealth Short Story Prize (1999), Archie Markham Award, A.M. Heath Prize
- Fun Fact: Jones is a self-professed chocolate enthusiast!
Snag How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House and dive into Cherie Jones’s bold, beautiful world of Caribbean storytelling!