Small World Summary

Small World by Jonathan Evison is a fascinating novel that focuses on four families living in the United States of America, detailing their histories from the 19th to 21st centuries. The primary themes in the novel are the American dream and the American transformation over time.

The novel opens by presenting four families: the descendants of enslaved black people, the Chinese, Native Americans, and Irish immigrants. The four main characters in the novel meet on a train and they discuss major developments that have shaped American history and the historical landmarks that inspire the American dream. The notable developments between the 19th and 21st centuries included the discovery of gold in California, the construction of the Transcontinental Rail Road, and improved manufacturing practices.

The experiences of the four main characters reflect the transformations that have taken place in American history. Despite focusing on the American dream, the novel also discusses the social injustices against minority groups, including racism and lack of opportunities. Despite America being viewed as a land of opportunities, minority groups are still unprivileged because of systematic discrimination that has extended into the 21st century.