Beyond the Door of No Return
A journey through love and the complexities of history
David Diop author Sam Taylor translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Pushkin Press
Published:29th Aug '24
Should be back in stock very soon
The narrative in Beyond the Door of No Return intertwines adventure and emotional depth, exploring a botanist's obsession and the mysteries of love and freedom.
In Beyond the Door of No Return, the story unfolds in 1806, where the esteemed botanist Michel Adanson lies on his deathbed. His final utterance is a woman's name: Maram. This sparks a quest for understanding in his daughter, who seeks to uncover the identity of this enigmatic figure. As she delves into her father's past, she stumbles upon a journal chronicling his youthful adventures in Senegal, revealing a tapestry of wild escapades and profound desires.
The journal paints a vivid picture of Adanson's obsession with a young woman who was sold into slavery and her remarkable journey back to freedom. This narrative not only explores the physical journey across the seas but also delves into the emotional turmoil of a man torn between his scientific pursuits and the complexities of love. The intertwining of personal and historical narratives challenges the reader's perceptions of the past, particularly regarding the brutal realities of the eighteenth century.
Beyond the Door of No Return ultimately serves as a reflection on the intersections of science, love, and the human experience. It invites readers to ponder the sacrifices made in the name of love and the lengths one might go to uncover the truth about those they cherish. Through Adanson's journey, the tale unfolds with gripping intensity, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's heart and mind.
'Diop explores the cruelties of colonialism in a powerful story of love destroyed' - Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Pick of the Month
'A compelling romantic adventure... Intricately layered, enfolding stories within stories, Beyond the Door of No Return is many things at once: mystery, autobiography, epistolary, romance, adventure, confession. Through an act of remembrance, Diop seeks to build a repository of lives and histories lost to the slave trade' - Financial Times
'Stunningly realized and written in exquisite prose, Beyond the Door of No Return is a love story, an adventure tale, and an unflinching examination of the unexpected ways that colonialism and greed ravaged everyone it touched, European and African. It is above all else, a spellbinding novel about the high price of betrayal-of others, and oneself' - Maaza Mengiste, Booker Prize-shortlisted author of The Shadow King
'A hypnotic, powerful historical novel in which stories nest within one another like dolls... In less skilled hands, the novels structure would not work... But the opposite happens here. In a few vivid brush strokes, Diop brings to life not only Adanson, but also the ways in which his dreams, loves and losses shaped the lives of those around him. It all coheres mesmerizingly' - New York Times
'Does a masterful job of showing up the racist brutalities of the slave trade and its associated cruelties and hypocrisies... and wraps it all up in a gripping, galloping narrative that challenges perceptions to the very last page' - Marie Claire
ISBN: 9781782278412
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
256 pages