Another highlight of my summer reads, Homegoing, the debut novel by Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi. Set in 18th century Ghana, when it was known as the Gold Coast, the novel begins with the story of two half sisters who are unaware of one another. One, Effia marries an Englishman, a slave trader and lives in … Continue reading
‘What society gives us as youth, it bites them it bites them in the ass when we wild out’. Sixteen-year-old Starr has carefully managed to balance the two worlds she inhabits – the poor neighbourhood she grew up in and the posh, suburban high school she attends. Until one night, on her way back from … Continue reading
Ever read a novel that’s beautifully written but horrifying, disturbing and heartbreaking, and yet so riveting that you can’t put it down, even during the very worse parts. That’s how I felt reading An Untamed State. I had all the feelings from page to page. Fear, anger, despair, anxiety, hope, relief, joy all jostled for attention as … Continue reading
Initially I had mixed feelings about Minaret by Leila Aboulela but on the whole I did like it. It’s a fascinating glimpse of Sudanese culture, politics and Islam. These elements of the novel I thought were well written in way that wasn’t attempting to ‘teach’ the reader or explain or justify. Therefore, any aspects I didn’t … Continue reading
As I was reading this collection of essays exploring what it meant to be Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic in the UK today, I couldn’t help but sigh that this conversation about identity was still being had. I was immediately transported back to when I was studying for my English Lit degree, and having lengthy … Continue reading
