by Nancy Barnes
First published 2000
The protagonist faces the complex dynamics of her relationship with her father Munyi. She must balance her own aspirations against the weight of family tradition and paternal authority. The story explores how children of immigrant or traditional families negotiate between honoring their heritage and forging their own path. Barnes creates a character caught between two worlds, struggling to define herself while maintaining connection to her roots. The novel examines themes of identity, generational conflict, and the price of independence. At its heart, this is a story about a young woman learning to claim her voice while respecting the family that shaped her.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, 21st-century, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
178 pages · Paperback · Seaview Press