Book description
For fans of Half of a Yellow Sun, a stunning novel set in 1930s Somalia
spanning a decade of war and upheaval, all seen through the eyes of a
small boy alone in the world.
Aden,1935; a city vibrant, alive, and full of hidden dangers. And home
to Jama, a ten year-old boy. But then his mother dies unexpectedly and
he finds himself alone in the world.
Jama is forced home to his native Somalia, the land of his nomadic
ancestors. War is on the horizon and the fascist Italian forces who
control parts of east Africa are preparing for battle. Yet Jama cannot
rest until he discovers whether his father, who has been absent from his
life since he was a baby, is alive somewhere.
And so begins an epic journey which will take Jama north through
Djibouti, war-torn Eritrea and Sudan, to Egypt. And from there, aboard a
ship transporting Jewish refugees just released from German
concentration camp, across the seas to Britain and freedom.
This story of one boy's long walk to freedom is also the story of how
the Second World War affected Africa and its people; a story of
displacement and family. 'Loved Black Mamba Boy. Utterly compelling,
an assured debut. An incredible insight into a slice of recent African
history that is so rarely given light'
Alex Wheatle (MBE), award-winning author of East of Acre Lane and
Brixton Rock
Amazon Vine reviews:
'A great read, colourful and powerful'
'One of the most wonderful things I have ever read…I was held
spellbound by this book'
'Rich description and a fascinating story'
'Nadifa Mohamed's writing is emotional and evocative and as well as
lyrical landscape descriptions or relationship revelations she does not
flinch from the harrowing reality of a cruelly chaotic part of the
world. This is a 5-star book deserving similar acclaim and success to
“The Kite Runner”' Nadifa Mohamed was born in Hargeisa, Somalia in
1981 and was educated in the UK, studying History and Politics at St.
Hilda's College, Oxford. She lives in London and is currently working on
her second novel.
