A review by chamblyman
The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell

4.0

This incredibly ambitious debut takes the reader on a picaresque journey through time and family trees: from the racism and class struggles of colonial era Northern Rhodesia to a speculative future Zambia full of insect sized drone-bots! Serpell takes on the scope and magical realist touches of Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude or Rushdie's Midnight's Children with aplomb, delineating the human loves and socio-political strife that make up the fabric of a place and time. Fans of Richard Powers' The Overstory or David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas should enjoy the epic multi-thread story structure and sweeping themes.