First published 2021
Anna sorts through her deceased mother's possessions after her marriage ends and her daughter reaches adulthood. She finds her West African father's student diary from 1970s London, documenting his radical political activities. The diary reveals he later became president of Bamana, a West African country, where some call him a dictator. He remains alive. Anna decides to find him. Her search becomes a journey across continents and through decades of family secrets. She must confront questions about her mixed heritage and what parents leave their children. The quest forces Anna to examine her own identity while uncovering the complex political legacy of the father who never knew she existed. Her pursuit reveals how personal history intersects with national politics and how the past shapes who we become.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, african-literature, contemporary, political-thriller, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, quest, search-for-identity
Setting: Bamana, London, West Africa
Period: 1970s, Contemporary
304 pages · Hardcover · Virago