Book Club
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
July 2023 book selection
About the Book
Ada has always been unusual. As an infant in southern Nigeria, she is a source of deep concern to her family. Her parents successfully prayed her into existence, but she becomes a troubled child, prone to violent fits of anger and grief, developing separate selves within her. Ada is more than just volatile – she is an ogbanje, born “with one foot on the other side.” When Ada travels to America for college, a traumatic event crystallizes her selves into something more powerful. Based in the author’s realities and narrated by these selves, Freshwater maps how Ada’s life spirals in a dangerous direction as her alters – now protective, now hedonistic – move into control.
About the Bookclub
Joining is as simple as showing up to our monthly meet-up. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month and we welcome everybody with open arms. Spread the love and invite others; the more the merrier! Let’s grow our conversation circle! We will share our monthly book selection via our mailing list and social media (Facebook and Instagram).
Details
Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
119 Jan Smuts Avenue Parkwood
2193 Johannesburg
joh-bibliothek@goethe.de
Part of series Afro Freedom Bookclub 2023