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Eden McKenzie-Goddard talks to Kamila Shamsie

Debut Discoveries: Smallie

Hay Festival 2026, 

The debut novelist discusses his book, a poignant story exploring the extraordinary impact of the Windrush scandal on ordinary lives. McKenzie-Goddard is a UK-based writer and podcaster with Barbadian-Jamaican roots, and he talks to author Kamila Shamsie about his impulse to write about forgotten lives and unheard stories.

Smallie follows a family from Barbados to Britain, exploring themes of connection, community and country. Emotive, striking and important, the novel is expected to top many of the year’s must-read lists.

Eden McKenzie-Goddard talks to Kamila Shamsie