Brixton 1981. Sixteen-year-old Michael is already on the wrong side of the law. In in his community, where job opportunities are low and drug-running is high, this is nothing new.
But when Michael falls for Ngozi, a vibrant young immigrant from the Nigerian village of Obowi, their startling connection runs far deeper than they realise.
Narrated by the spirit of an African woman who lost her life on a slave ship two centuries earlier, her powerful story reveals how Michael and Ngozi’s struggle for happiness began many lifetimes ago. Throughhaunting, lyricalwords, one unforgettablemessageresonates love, hope and unity will heal us all.
Extractfrom The Book of Echoes
Page one of part 1
Micheal
So they come, so they go
Brixton, 1981.
This morning at eight o’clock, I saw Delores open her eyes and smile. That smile started from deep inside and it spread out the tips of her fingers, to her toes and the roots of her hair. Her spirit pushed the weight in her heart, pushed it aside like the great man Hercules. And that joy, that release, shone out like early morning sunshine.
I’ve not seen Delores or Ms Lorez as I’ve heard them all call her, smile that deep in a long time, not since Mr Watson, her husband, left well ran off with a sixteen year old, or maybe even as far back as when her daughter, Marcia was born. In those days she seemed happy. Michael and Simon, her stepsons were still little boys, and they used to watch over Marcia like she was a pup. Ms Lorez didn’t have to worry about warming up the milk when Marcia cried those boys were already boiling the kettle before she could even ask. They fought over who should do it, but still they did it. I suppose this is when Ms Lorez’s love for those boys really started. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe the last time she smiled that deeply was just before her husband turned funny over the schoolgirl.
THE BOOK OF ECHOES shortlisted for the Author’s Club First Novel Awards, The RSL Christopher Bland Prize and The HWA Debut Crown Awards.
About author Rosanna Amaka
Rosanna Amaka was born to Africa and Caribbean parents. She began writing The Book of Echoes twenty years ago to give voice to the Brixton community in which she grew up. Her community was fast disappearing as a result of gentrification, emigration back to the Caribbean and Africa or simply with the passing away of the older generation. It’s depiction of pain redeemed by love and hope was also inspired by a wish to understand the impact of history on present-day lives. Rosanna Amaka lives in South London. This is her first novel.
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