Answer:
Andrea Levy is a British novelist and playwright who is best known for her novel "Small Island." Before writing "Small Island," Levy had a background in marketing and worked as a graphic designer. She started writing fiction in her late 30s and published her first novel, "Every Light in the House Burnin'," in 1994.
After the publication of "Small Island," Levy's writing career took off. The novel was highly praised for its nuanced portrayal of the experiences of Caribbean immigrants in post-World War II Britain, and it won several awards, including the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2004. The novel was also adapted into a play and a television series, which further increased Levy's visibility and reputation as a writer.
Levy continued to write novels that explored themes of identity, race, and belonging, including "The Long Song" (2010) and "The Returning" (2015). Her writing has been recognized for its insightful commentary on the lives of marginalized communities, and her novels have been widely read and critically acclaimed.
In conclusion, Andrea Levy's writing career took off after the publication of "Small Island." The novel's success and critical recognition helped to establish her as a prominent voice in British literature, and her subsequent work has continued to explore important themes related to identity, race, and belonging.