The book charts political violence in Jamaica and the spread of crack cocaine in the U.S., and hinges on a 1976 attempt on the life of reggae superstar Marley — identified in the book only as "The Singer." The story is told in a cacophony of voices — from gangsters to ghosts, drug dealers to CIA agents — and in dialects ranging from American English to Jamaican patois.
Critics have compared it to the stream-of-consciousness novels of William Faulkner and the hyper-violent movies of Quentin Tarantino, while James himself has cited Charles dikkens as an influence on his multi-character depiction of society.
Wood acknowledged that the book's plentiful sex, violence and swearing might put off buyers who "like to give the Booker winners to their mother to read."
But he said the novel's verve and humor would win over readers.
Wood said although much of the subject matter is grim, "a lot of it is very, very funny."