Hello and welcome back! Today is December 1st, so that means it’s time to open the first door in our advent calendar.
Today’s featured book is….
Radiance of Tomorrow by Ishmael Beah
I first reviewed this book all the way back in 2015! I was particularly touched by the author’s prose and the way he managed to conjure so many emotions while touching on complex – and sadly still timely – topics. Back when I read this I hadn’t really started delving deeper into postcolonial and anticapitalist literature so, even though I had actually loved it the first time round, compiling this list made me wonder how much more I could get from it now that I have that extra awareness. A re-read might be in order…
Read for: an unflinching critique of capitalist and neocolonial practices, including landgrabbing; beautiful, lyrical prose; unforgettable characters trying to rebuild their lives and society in post-war Sierra Leone.
Synopsis
At the centre of Radiance of Tomorrow are Benjamin and Bockarie, two friends who return to their hometown after the civil war in Sierra Leone. The village is in ruins, the ground covered in bones. As more villagers begin to come back, Benjamin and Bockarie try to forge a new community by taking up their former posts as teachers, but they’re beset by obstacles.
As Benjamin and Bockarie search for a way to restore order, they’re forced to reckon with the uncertainty of their past and future alike. With the gentle lyricism of a dream and the moral clarity of a fable, Radiance of Tomorrow is a powerful novel about preserving what means the most to us, even in uncertain times.
Come back tomorrow to discover my next pick,
or subscribe to make sure you never miss an update!
Discover more from Book for Thought
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
