Joan Riley facts for kids

Joan Riley was born on May 26, 1958. She is a talented writer from Jamaica who also has British roots. Her first novel, The Unbelonging, came out in 1985. This book was very important because it was the first by an Afro-Caribbean woman to share stories about Black people living in England.

Early Life and Education

Joan Riley grew up in Hopewell, Richmond, St. Mary, Jamaica. She was the youngest of eight children in her family. Her mother passed away when Joan was young, so her father raised her.

Moving to the United Kingdom

Joan received her early schooling in Jamaica. In 1976, she moved to the United Kingdom. There, she continued her studies. She went to the University of Sussex and the University of London. At these universities, she studied social work.

Working to Help Others

After her studies, Joan Riley worked at an agency that helped people with health challenges. She also focused on writing about the experiences of women from the Caribbean.

Joan Riley's Books

Joan Riley has written four novels. Her first book, The Unbelonging, was published in 1985. It is seen as the first novel by a woman to explore the Black experience in Britain.

Awards and Recognition

Joan Riley's writing has earned her several awards. In 1992, she received the Voice award for her work. The next year, in 1993, she won the MIND prize for her novel A Kindness to the Children.

Featured in Collections

Her stories and writings have also appeared in important collections. These include Daughters of Africa, edited by Margaret Busby in 1992. Another collection was Her True-True Name, edited by Pamela Mordecai in 1989.

Co-Editing a Book

Joan Riley also helped create a book called Leave to Stay: Stories of Exile and Belonging. She co-edited this book with Briar Wood in 1996. It is a collection of stories and poems. The writers in this book came from many different countries. These included India, the Caribbean, China, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Pakistan.