A beautiful, illuminating read. Full of heart and wisdom.

Irenosen Okojie, author of Nudibranch

Brilliant writing. Informative. Profound. Thoroughly researched. This is a book written in lyrical cinematic prose. I reread many passages strictly for their beauty. It complements lived experience with history in its depiction of the Vincentian immigrant experience in Britain. But above all else, it valorizes family, community, humanity on the whole, and rejoices in the rituals that make it all possible.

H Nigel Thomas, 2022 recipient of the Canada Council John Molson Arts Prize and author of Easily Fooled

Alexis Keir weaves skilfully between three stories and three different periods. Lin, Bertie and Catherine are connected through their various journey from the beautiful island of St Vincent to England

The stories of their loves and loss are deftly blended with Keir’s own story. Lin and Catherine cannot bear being separated from their children but though Alexis’ experience we see how that separation affected the children left behind or in George’s case ripped from his mother’s arms. It is poignant and painful.

Reading ‘Windward Family’ is like reading about your own ancestors, who were once lost but now found and brought to life by Keir. We rejoice with them, we grieve with them, we live through them.

Windward Family is a joy to read.

Anni Domingo, author of Breaking the Maafa Chain

Alexis Keir’s beautiful, evocative work is an atlas of the hearts that made him - crossing continents and oceans, centuries and moments, to come home to himself; a self that tells the story of modern Britain as much as it does of this one man. Nau mai haere mai, e hoa.

Stella Duffy, author of Lullaby Beach

Being Black British is more than an identity, it is a journey into uncharted waters of personal history. Alexis Keir’s moving account will ring true for all of those navigating their own stories.

David Lammy

‘With a tender mix of prose and historical re-imagining, Alexis creates with words, a symphony of movement that mimics his travels and journeys across continents, in search of identity and belonging.

A beautiful ode to migration, love and all that we do for family.’

Florence Olájídé, author of Coconut

‘Searching for my own family history in the archives on Saint Lucia has been tough. So little recorded, so many details never written down. It can be a dry and testing task. Windward Family by Alexis Keir is an encouragement to persevere with the search as Mr Keir guides us through his search for that same thread I’m seeking; personal tales of lives lost to us.

Alexis Keir manages to overcome the obstacle of the threadbare St Vincent archive and uncover stories of personal and National importance to both himself and the African-Caribbean diaspora more widely. The ghosts he brings to life in Windward Family resemble my own ancestors, their hopes and aspirations and the curious nature of their interactions – positive and negative – with the white world.

Infused with hope, Windward Family feels pertinent and timely as many from the African/African-Caribbean diaspora seek to know their roots and work out exactly where they belong in the world. I especially loved Mr Keir’s ability to raise a smile with beautiful touches of memories that will resonate with any child born of Caribbean parents in the UK. The discipline, the food, the gatherings, the laughter, the perfect and precious front room... Windward Family is honest, poetic and deeply-researched excellence. Recommended.’

Paterson Joseph, actor and author of The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho