Imbolo Mbue Books

A fearless young woman from a small African village ignites a revolution against an American oil company in this sweeping, inspiring novel. Set in the fictional village of Kosawa, the story unfolds as the community grapples with the devastating effects of environmental degradation caused by the oil company. Pipeline spills have rendered their farmlands barren, and toxic water is claiming the lives of children. Despite promises of cleanup and reparations, the villagers are met with betrayal as their government, led by a self-serving dictator, prioritizes its own interests. Faced with despair, the people of Kosawa choose to resist, embarking on a struggle that spans decades and demands great sacrifice. The narrative is conveyed through the eyes of a generation of children and the family of Thula, a girl who evolves into a revolutionary leader. This masterful exploration delves into the clash between the relentless pursuit of profit and a community's fight to preserve its ancestral land. It highlights a young woman's unwavering commitment to her people's freedom, making it a poignant tale of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

A compulsively readable debut novel about marriage, immigration, class, race, and the trapdoors in the American Dream—the unforgettable story of a young Cameroonian couple making a new life in New York just as the Great Recession upends the economy Named one of BuzzFeed’s “Incredible New Books You Need to Read This Summer” Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem, has come to the United States to provide a better life for himself, his wife, Neni, and their six-year-old son. In the fall of 2007, Jende can hardly believe his luck when he lands a job as a chauffeur for Clark Edwards, a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. Clark demands punctuality, discretion, and loyalty—and Jende is eager to please. Clark’s wife, Cindy, even offers Neni temporary work at the Edwardses’ summer home in the Hamptons. With these opportunities, Jende and Neni can at last gain a foothold in America and imagine a brighter future. However, the world of great power and privilege conceals troubling secrets, and soon Jende and Neni notice cracks in their employers’ façades. When the financial world is rocked by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Jongas are desperate to keep Jende’s job—even as their marriage threatens to fall apart. As all four lives are dramatically upended, Jende and Neni are forced to make an impossible choice.