Marlon James and the exorcism that changed him

Growing up gay in Jamaica, the Booker Prize winning writer fought against his sexuality.

Marlon James is now one of the world’s most celebrated writers, but he grew up feeling like an outsider.

Fearing ostracisation for being gay, he voluntarily entered into an exorcism at church, but the process didn’t work as intended, and Marlon broke with organised religion. His burgeoning career as a writer took him away from Jamaica, to newfound freedoms, and eventually literary acclaim.

His new Booker Prize shortlisted novel, The Disappearers, is about the Jamaican underground gay scene that he never got to experience.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Harry Graham

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