Set against the backdrop of Jamaica's tumultuous transition from slavery to freedom, 'The Long Song' follows July, who is born into slavery on the Amity sugar plantation. Narrating her story with a mix of defiance and wit, July recounts the Baptist War of 1831 and her life in the uncertain times that followed emancipation. Through the eyes of July, her mother Kitty, plantation mistress Caroline Mortimer, and others, Andrea Levy captures the resilience and heartbreak of a people forging a new path in the shadow of oppression. Perspectives intertwine as July reflects on her personal growth amidst societal upheaval – from her childhood as a field slave to her complex bond with her mistress and the changes brought by an English overseer, Robert Goodwin. This evocative tale weaves together a visceral narrative of struggle, revolution, and the quest for freedom and love.