Before-Before

More about the book

Set against the backdrop of British colonial Africa, this collection of loosely connected short stories explores the life of an expatriate German family as they navigate their gradual assimilation into British culture. The narrative begins nearly a century ago with the author's father's experiences as a shipping agent on the Gold Coast (now Ghana). The book's cover features one of his photographs, adding a personal touch to the memoir-like tales that echo themes of identity and heritage, complementing the earlier work, Seven Maids, which chronicles maternal lineage.