Bernardine Evaristo
Bernardine Evaristo is a British author known for her works exploring the African diaspora. She won the Booker Prize in 2019 for her novel 'Girl, Woman, Other'.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Girl, Woman, Other
The novel is a vibrant portrayal of the lives of twelve different characters, primarily black British women, spanning over a century. Each character has their own unique story, tackling issues such as feminism, politics, sexuality, and identity. The narrative is a blend of poetry and prose, exploring the interconnected lives of these women and their personal struggles and triumphs. It is a powerful exploration of race, gender, and the changing face of Britain.
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2. The Emperor's Babe
This novel tells the story of a young Sudanese girl, Zuleika, who is married off at the age of 11 to a rich, older Roman businessman in Londinium, 211 AD. Despite the luxuries her marriage affords her, Zuleika feels trapped and yearns for real love and freedom. The narrative takes a turn when she meets and falls in love with the Roman Emperor, a relationship that brings her joy but also puts her in grave danger. The book is a vivid portrayal of ancient Rome, with its mix of cultures, and explores themes of love, freedom, and the struggles of a woman in a patriarchal society.
The 4296th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. Manifesto
On Never Giving Up
This compelling memoir offers a vibrant tapestry of personal anecdotes, reflections, and insights into the life of a trailblazing writer and activist. It delves into themes of identity, creativity, and resilience, chronicling the author's journey from a multicultural upbringing to becoming a celebrated voice in literature. Through candid storytelling, it explores the challenges and triumphs faced in breaking barriers and forging a path in a world often resistant to change. The narrative is both a celebration of individuality and a call to action, encouraging readers to embrace their unique stories and pursue their passions with unwavering determination.
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4. Lara
The Untold Story of a Daughter, Her Mother and Her Grandmother
Set against the backdrop of a multicultural London, this novel-in-verse explores the complex tapestry of identity, heritage, and belonging through the eyes of a young girl. As she navigates her mixed-race background, she delves into her family's past, uncovering stories that span continents and generations. The narrative weaves together themes of migration, cultural intersections, and personal discovery, offering a poignant reflection on the search for self in a world defined by diversity and change.
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5. Olhos D'água
In a vibrant tapestry of interconnected stories, the narrative delves into the lives of diverse characters navigating the complexities of identity, belonging, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of contemporary society, the book explores themes of race, gender, and cultural heritage, weaving together the voices of individuals from various walks of life. Through poignant and often humorous vignettes, the narrative captures the essence of human experience, highlighting the universal quest for understanding and acceptance in a world that is both fragmented and interconnected.
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6. Mr Loverman
Set in contemporary London, this vibrant and poignant novel follows the life of Barrington Jedidiah Walker, a 74-year-old Antiguan immigrant who has been hiding his true self for decades. While outwardly maintaining the facade of a devoted husband and father, Barrington secretly harbors a long-standing love for his best friend, Morris. As he grapples with the societal expectations of his Caribbean community and the personal turmoil of coming out in his twilight years, Barrington embarks on a journey of self-discovery, challenging the norms of masculinity and exploring the complexities of love, identity, and family.
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7. Canção Para Ninar Menino Grande
Set against the vibrant backdrop of contemporary London, this novel intricately weaves together the lives of its diverse characters, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of modern relationships. Through a tapestry of interconnected stories, the narrative delves into the personal struggles and triumphs of individuals from various walks of life, highlighting the intersections of race, gender, and class. With a keen eye for detail and a compassionate voice, the story captures the essence of human resilience and the enduring quest for connection in an ever-evolving world.
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8. Soul Tourists
A playful, genre-bending novel follows two siblings on a surreal journey that mixes road-trip adventure, ghostly encounters and mythic backstory as they trace strands of their family’s past across Europe and Africa; through music, art, folklore and fragmented histories the narrative explores identity, memory, displacement and the search for belonging within the African diaspora.
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9. Blonde Roots
An inventive alternate-history satire that reverses the transatlantic slave trade: African nations enslave Europeans, transporting them to plantations and commodifying their bodies and culture. Through the experiences of a white captive stripped of status and forced to navigate a brutal, racially inverted world, the narrative skewers colonial ideologies and exposes how race, language and power are socially constructed and used to justify exploitation. Mixing biting humor and stark critique, it interrogates identity, resistance and adaptation while forcing readers to see familiar histories from a destabilized perspective.
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