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Michel the Giant

An African in Greenland

Tété-Michel Kpomassie author James Kirkup translator Ros Schwartz translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:3rd Feb '22

Should be back in stock very soon

Michel the Giant cover

This captivating narrative follows Tété-Michel Kpomassie's ten-year journey from Togo to the Arctic, exploring themes of community and belonging in Michel the Giant.

In Michel the Giant, readers are taken on a remarkable journey through the life of Tété-Michel Kpomassie, who embarks on an extraordinary ten-year expedition from his village in Togo, West Africa, to the Arctic Circle. Growing up in the 1950s, Tété-Michel's childhood was filled with the scorching heat and fertile soil of his homeland, alongside the lurking dangers of treacherous snakes. His life takes a transformative turn when he discovers a book about Greenland, igniting an obsession that propels him toward an adventure he never imagined possible.

The narrative unfolds as Tété-Michel travels from the warmth of the equator to the frigid landscapes of the Arctic, where he immerses himself in the lives of the Inuit peoples. Michel the Giant beautifully captures his experiences, detailing his adaptation to new customs and foods, all while exploring the themes of community and belonging. The book is not just a memoir; it serves as an anthropological observation that offers nuanced insights into the universality of human experience, making it relatable to readers from all walks of life.

With a new afterword by the author, this rich and immersive travel writing invites readers to reflect on their own journeys. Tété-Michel's story is a testament to the power of dreams and the lengths one will go to fulfill them, making Michel the Giant a captivating read for anyone interested in adventure and cultural exploration.

Remarkable . . . skilful storytelling . . . intrepidly adventurous and unconventional . . . couldn't be more relevant. The kinship he felt with the Inuit on that first visit saw the publication of a literary work that was well ahead of its time. -- Michael Segalov * Observer *
Fearless reverse ethnology . . . gorgeous descriptions . . . an eye for absurdity . . . Kpomassie is a writer of enviable and maybe indispensable amiability and serenity . . . With his gaze and his mind continually turned out and facing forward, he is up to every predicament he encounters; he has the mother wit, the equanimity and the self-confidence of the epic hero -- London Review of Books * Michael Hofmann *
Beautiful, compassionate, insightful . . . inner and outer landscapes both richly and honestly detailed . . . the furthest a book has taken me . . . Astonishing -- Johny Pitts * author of Afropean *
A fascinating snapshot of Inuit culture and a reminder of the common threads that bind us all . . . a first-rate storyteller to the whole world -- Noo Saro-Wiwa * The Times *
It is a long way in miles, but even longer in resilience, adventurous persistence and uncanny charm. . . . Kpomassie's book contains a catalogue of his impressions, combined with striking passages of fine writing. The result is the curious double perspective of a naïve visitor, combined with the controlled distance of a writer -- Paul Zweig * The New York Times Book Review *
Warm, witty and joyful -- Ann Morgan * Financial Times *
Surprising . . . this beautifully written, page-turning piece of unjudgmental anthropological reportage by a black man finding his soul through seeking the soul of the Inuit recognises an important lesson for today. -- Sue Prideaux * The Times *
Pioneering and unforgettable * Mr Porter *
An ebullient snapshot of a vanished age -- John Self * Observer New Review *

ISBN: 9780241554531

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 19mm

Weight: 247g

336 pages