THE PLOT: ‘Theatre of Marvels’ by Lianne Dillsworth is a historical novel about a mixed-race actress in Victorian London. Zillah has left the slums of St Giles to star as ‘The Great Amazonia’ – a savage from deepest, darkest Africa. However, … Continue reading Review: Theatre of Marvels
THE PLOT: ‘Hope & Glory’ by Jendella Benson is a contemporary coming-of-age novel about a British-Nigerian woman on a quest to uncover a family secret. When Glory arrives back in Peckham after the sudden death of her father, she finds her … Continue reading Review: Hope & Glory
THE PLOT: ‘Memphis’ by Tara M. Stringfellow is a multi-generational family saga about Black women in the American South. There’s Hazel – the matriarch and grandmother whose story starts in 1937 as she finds and loses the love of her life. … Continue reading Review: Memphis
THE PLOT: ‘The Strangers of Braamfontein’ by Onyeka Nwelue is a novel about illegal immigrants in South Africa. The principal character is Osas, a boy who has travelled from Edo State in Nigeria to Braamfontein in search of a better life. … Continue reading Review: The Strangers of Braamfontein
THE PLOT: ‘Cecily’ by Annie Garthwaite is a historical novel set during the Wars of the Roses. It follows Cecily, Duchess of York, throughout her marriage to Richard of York – de facto heir to the English throne. Though Cecily’s mother … Continue reading Review: Cecily
I’m currently reading a book set in South Africa so I thought this was the perfect time to share a list of books that I want to read by authors from Southern African countries. This is less varied than my … Continue reading Southern African Authors
THE PLOT: ‘Who Put This Song On?’ by Morgan Parker is a young-adult novel about a Black teenager with depression. Recovering from a “meltdown” during the summer holidays, the protagonist (Morgan) is starting the final year of her super-Christian school whilst … Continue reading Review: Who Put This Song On?
THE PLOT: ‘Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?’ by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a contemporary novel about a British-Nigerian woman who is looking for love. Thirty-one years old and still pining for her ex, Yinka is scared that she’ll never find a … Continue reading Review: Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?
THE PLOT: ‘She Who Became the Sun’ by Shelley Parker-Chan is a historical fantasy novel about the origins of the Ming Dynasty. Set in Southern China in 1345, it re-imagines the life-story of one of the most powerful emperors in … Continue reading Review: She Who Became the Sun
THE PLOT: ‘The Fat Black Woman’s Poems’ by Grace Nichols is an acclaimed poetry collection which was first published in the 1980’s. A Caribbean immigrant in England, Nichols’ poems focus on race, migration and womanhood. As the title suggests, she explores … Continue reading Review: The Fat Black Woman’s Poems
Amina's Bookshelf 