Abie follows the arc of a letter from London back to Africa to a
coffee plantation that now could be hers if she wants it. Standing
among the ruined groves she strains to hear the sound of the past, but
the layers of years are too many. Thus begins the gathering of her
family's history through the tales of her aunts - four women born to
four different wives of a wealthy plantation owner, her grandfather.
Asana, Mariama, Hawa and Serah: theirs is the story of a nation, a
family and four women's attempts to alter the course of her own
destiny.<
'A writer of startling talent ... Conveying the human
spirit's irrepressible love of life is the triumph of this magical
book' Daily Telegraph 'A fascinating evocation of the experience of
African women, and all that has been gained - and lost - with the
passing of old traditions' Marie Claire 'She tells stories as she
breathes ... a prose of soaring beauty' The Times 'Mesmeric, elegant
prose ... equally extraordinary and vibrant with sadness and joy'
Daily Mail
DIV>
Abie follows the arc of a letter from London
back to Africa to a coffee plantation that now could be hers if she
wants it. Standing among the ruined groves she strains to hear the
sound of the past, but the layers of years are too many. Thus begins
the gathering of her family's history through the tales of her aunts
- four women born to four different wives of a wealthy plantation
owner, her grandfather. Asana, Mariama, Hawa and Serah: theirs is
the story of a nation, a family and four women's attempts to alter
the course of her own destiny.<
