Black Mamba Boy - Hardcover

Mohamed, Nadifa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1444805231 ISBN 13: 9781444805239

Publisher: Ulverscroft Ltd, 2011

Synopsis

Named as one of the GRANTA BEST OF YOUNG BRITISH NOVELISTS 2013.

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.

About this title

Review:

‘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, 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”’

About the Author:

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ulverscroft Ltd
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1444805231
• ISBN 13: 9781444805239
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 408