A review by serendipitysbooks
Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Anna is a middle aged biracial British woman, separated from her husband. When her mother dies she discovers a journal from her father, whom she has never known, detailing his time in the UK when he was a student. Turns out he went on to rule the (fictional) African kingdom of Bamana for over thirty years. Anna makes the snap decision to travel there and meet him. Much of this story is centred on Anna finding herself, with themes like racial identity and family playing key roles. It’s always nice to see a somewhat seasoned character experiencing growth and change. One thing that really stood out for me was the book’s nuanced depiction of her father and, by extension, other African dictators. In the west it feels all too easy to dismiss them solely as corrupt egomaniacs. Yet that ignores the fact that many were (at least initially) legitimately elected and did a lot of good for their countries, not to mention the many issues associated with colonialism and its aftermath. Political questions, morals and ethics aren’t always straightforward. 
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