The Plot: ‘At Night All Blood is Black’ by David Diop is a literary novel set during the first world war. It centres two Senegalese soldiers who are fighting for the French in the trenches. The novel opens with Alfa as … Continue reading Review: At Night All Blood is Black
THE PLOT: ‘Women & Power’ by Mary Beard contains two non-fiction essays comparing ancient and modern examples of the silencing of women in public discourse. The book is a written version of two lectures delivered in 2014 and 2017, courtesy … Continue reading Review: Women & Power
THE PLOT: ‘Keisha the Sket’ by Jade LB is fiction about a young Black girl in 00’s London. 17-year-old Keisha has a reputation for being a “top sket” (aka “ho”) but all she wants is to fall in love with her … Continue reading Review: Keisha the Sket
THE PLOT: ‘Misfits’ by Michaela Coel is a written version of the actress, scriptwriter and producer’s MacTaggart Lecture. Given in 2018, the lecture originally addressed notable dignitaries in the production industry with an honest and open account of Coel’s life, … Continue reading Review: Misfits
THE PLOT: ‘Detransition, Baby’ by Torrey Peters is a literary novel about a relationship between a transgender woman called Reese and a former transgender woman called Ames. The two have broken up from their lesbian relationship (ostensibly because Ames detransitioned), but … Continue reading Review: Detransition, Baby
THE PLOT: ‘Witches Steeped in Gold’ by Ciannon Smart is a young-adult fantasy set in a magical Caribbean-inspired land. Ten years before the novel opens, the rulers of this land – the Adair family – have been overthrown. Now, their order … Continue reading Review: Witches Steeped in Gold
THE PLOT: ‘The Shadow of the Wind’ by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is a gothic mystery set in 1945. The story opens in Barcelona after the Spanish Civil War, when a ten-year-old boy visits the ‘Cemetery of Forgotten Books’. The boy … Continue reading Review: The Shadow of the Wind
THE PLOT: ‘Memorial’ by Bryan Washington is a literary novel about two men in a complicated long-term relationship. When Japanese-American Mike learns that his estranged father is dying, he decides to travel from America to Osaka to take care of … Continue reading Review: Memorial
THE PLOT: ‘The Mirror & the Light’ by Hilary Mantel is the final novel in the ‘Wolf Hall’ trilogy. Set in England between 1536 and 1540, it chronicles the downfall of Henry VIII’s principal advisor – Thomas Cromwell. Born the son … Continue reading Review: The Mirror & the Light
THE PLOT: “Manchester Happened” by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is a short story collection about Ugandan immigrants. Structured in two parts; “departing” and “returning”, it weaves between Manchester and Kampala as characters ultimately decide whether to stay or go. From a man … Continue reading Review: Manchester Happened
Amina's Bookshelf 