Sankofa
A BBC Between the Covers Book Club Pick and Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group
Published:3rd Jun '21
Should be back in stock very soon
This engaging novel follows a mixed-race British woman who embarks on a journey to find her estranged West African father, exploring themes of identity, race, and familial legacy along the way.
"Sankofa," written by award-winning author Chibundu Onuzo, tells the compelling story of Anna, a mixed-race British woman who embarks on a journey to discover her estranged West African father. At a pivotal moment in her life, Anna finds herself grappling with her identity after separating from her husband, facing the reality of her daughter growing up, and mourning the loss of her mother, who was her sole parent. As she sifts through her mother's belongings, she uncovers hints about her father's past, which leads her to delve into his student diary. This diary reveals his radical political involvement in 1970s London and his eventual rise to power as the president of a small West African nation.
As Anna sets out to find her father, her quest becomes more than just a search for family; it evolves into a profound exploration of race, identity, and the legacies we inherit. The narrative is infused with humor and poignancy, capturing the complexities of Anna's experiences as she navigates cultural differences and the impact of colonial history on her life. The book resonates with themes of belonging and self-discovery, making it a relatable read for anyone questioning their roots.
"Sankofa" has garnered significant acclaim, being selected for the Reese Witherspoon Book Club and the BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club. Critics have praised its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking insights into the nuances of identity and heritage. With its captivating blend of humor and depth, Onuzo's novel invites readers to reflect on their own narratives and the connections that shape us.
Utterly compelling ... A disarmingly moving, surprisingly hilarious and fascinating journey * Stylist *
I LOVED SankofaSO MUCH. It explores identity, duality, belonging, racism, post-colonialism ... and the writing style is beguilingly cool, wry, detached * Marian Keyes *
Onuzo displays astonishing imagination and versatility in this fantastic novel about a woman's search for her personal, familial and national identity, delivered with deadpan humour in captivating prose * Sefi Atta *
Captivating... A beautiful book about a woman brave enough to discover her true identity * Reese Witherspoon (2021) *
Slick pacing and unpredict able developments keep the reader alert right up to the novel's exhilarating ending * Guardian Book of the Day *
Onuzo's sneakily breezy, highly entertaining novel leaves the reader rethinking familiar narratives of colonization, inheritance and liberation * New York Times Book Review *
A real pleasure, it's funny, thought-provoking and holds a light up to everything from cultural differences to colonialism * Stylist Unmissable 2021 Fiction *
I loved venturing from London to the fictional African nation of Bamana in Sankofa, a novel I found hard to put down -- Maggie Shipstead * Daily Mail *
A really great book, very poignant but also told really straight * Sara Cox, Radio Times *
A stirring narrative about family, our capacity to change and the need to belong * Time *
Wonderful. Poignant and powerful and so timely and the beautiful ending had me in tears, reminding me to look within as well as without for my answers * Stella Duffy, 2021 *
Spellbinding . . . Onuzu's spare style elegantly cuts to the core of her themes. The balancing of Anna's soul-searching with her thrilling discoveries makes for a satisfying endeavour * Publishers Weekly *
Unscrupulous politicians, irresponsible journalism, and the yawning gap between rich and poor feel deeply personal as Anna's journey unfolds . . . Fresh and new * Library Journal *
A hugely compelling novel about identity and the stories we tell about ourselves * Anna James (2021) *
An engagingly written journey of self-discovery * Kirkus Reviews *
Uniquely layered and lovingly written * Ms Magazine *
- Short-listed for The Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 2022 (UK)
ISBN: 9780349013152
Dimensions: 218mm x 142mm x 34mm
Weight: 420g
304 pages