Imprint
- Quercus
- Quercus
- Quercus
- Quercus
Nigeria, Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Adult & contemporary romance
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Imprint
Quercus
- Trade Paperback Apr 9, 2024 | 9781529425413 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- Hardback Jul 9, 2024 | 9781529425406 | RRP $55.00 Pre-Order
- e-Book Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425420 | RRP $15.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425437 | RRP $44.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00 -
Imprint
Quercus
- Trade Paperback Apr 9, 2024 | 9781529425413 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- Hardback Jul 9, 2024 | 9781529425406 | RRP $55.00 Pre-Order
- e-Book Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425420 | RRP $15.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425437 | RRP $44.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00 -
Imprint
Quercus
- Trade Paperback Apr 9, 2024 | 9781529425413 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- Hardback Jul 9, 2024 | 9781529425406 | RRP $55.00 Pre-Order
- e-Book Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425420 | RRP $15.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425437 | RRP $44.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00 -
Imprint
Quercus
- Trade Paperback Apr 9, 2024 | 9781529425413 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- Hardback Jul 9, 2024 | 9781529425406 | RRP $55.00 Pre-Order
- e-Book Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425420 | RRP $15.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Apr 11, 2024 | 9781529425437 | RRP $44.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00
A beautiful coming-of-age story based on the real settlement of Makoko in Nigeria. Perfect for readers of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
'A compelling and powerful novel' CHERIE JONES, author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House
'An adventurous and insightful read' ROSANNA AMAKA, author of The Book of Echoes 'A moving story of loss, love, community, and dreams' CHIKA UNIGWE, author of The Middle Daughter
She's the Pearl of Makoko and the world is her oyster.
In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her.
With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community.
Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage.
But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?
'A brilliant evocative read. In Okereke's hands, Makoko is a world full of heart and beauty' IRENOSEN OKOJIE, author of Nudibranch
'One of those rare books that takes you somewhere utterly unfamiliar and makes you feel instantly at home. A delight' SIMON TOYNE, author of Sanctus
More books by Chioma Okereke
Praise for Water Baby: An uplifting coming-of-age story from the author of Bitter Leaf
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Chioma Okereke's new novel blazes with energy and joy. Come to explore this forgotten corner of Lagos, but stay for the inspiring characters and luminous prose - Charlotte Rogan
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Water Baby is one of those rare books that takes you somewhere utterly unfamiliar and makes you feel instantly at home. A delight from page one; it's funny, intriguing, vibrant, and beautifully written. You can almost smell the black waters of the Lagos lagoon beneath the floating settlement of Makoko. It's all so vivid, you'll feel like you've been there! - Simon Toyne, author of Sanctus
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An adventurous and insightful read. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Makoko, their powerful spirit and resilience to overcome the challenges of their daily lives and Water Baby's loyalty to her community. It reminds us all that when opportunity is given change can be made from the most unlikely source - Rosanna Amaka, author of The Book of Echoes
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In gorgeous, startling prose, Okereke gives us a moving story of loss, love, community, and dreams. Okereke writes her characters with so much heart that we feel that these are people we know as intimately as they know themselves. - Chika Unigwe, author of THE MIDDLE DAUGHTER
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A captivating, surprising, beautifully structured narrative about grief and loss, but also strength, joy and the value of friendship - Gemma Seltzer, author of WAYS OF LIVING
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Such a beautifully written novel, full of vibrant imagery and characters who leap off the page. I loved going on Baby's journey with her. This book serves as a reminder that often what we dream of is right in front of us - Louise Hare, author of MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS
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Such a beautifully written novel, full of vibrant imagery and characters who leap off the page. I loved going on Baby's journey with her. This book serves as a reminder that often what we dream of is right in front of us - Louise Hare, author of MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS
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Chioma Okereke has crafted a dynamic, memorable narrator in Yemoja, who sees herself as one pinprick on a map but whose youthful energy and curiosity lifts her on a wave towards new experiences.
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From the deep, dark lagoon of the Makoko slum where canoe boats steer through dirt and debris to the gentle blue lakes of Switzerland, water is at the heart of this beguiling novel.
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A brilliant evocative read. In Okereke's hands, Makoko is a world full of heart and beauty - Irenosen Okojie. author of BUTTERFLY FISH
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Water Baby explores the meaning of home and community in a rich, resonant story which dissects the harsh realities of life in Makoko with hope, compassion and clear affection. A compelling and powerful novel - Cherie Jones, author of HOW THE ONE-ARMED SISTER SWEEPS HER HOUSE
Chioma Okereke
Chioma Okereke was born in Benin City, Nigeria. She started her writing career as a poet and performed throughout Europe and the United States before turning her hand to fiction. Her work has been shortlisted in the Undiscovered Authors Competition 2006,run by Bookforce UK, and in the Daily Telegraph's 'Write a Novel in a Year' Competition in 2007.
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