A collection of short stories from an immigrant author. Arimah emigrated from Nigeria to Louisiana at age 13. These stories feature characters who are Nigerian, most of whom have emigrated to the U.S. Some of the stories are set in the "real" world and deal with domestic situations. Others have a bit of magical realism or even a little science fiction. I particularly enjoyed the surly American teen getting sent to stay with her aunt and cousin in Nigeria for the summer so she can be separated from her best friend who is clearly a bad influence. What the mom doesn't really know is that the cousin has also gone off the rails and is really much harder to deal with. The aunt is hoping the American cousin will be a good influence while her sister is hoping the Nigerian cousin will be a good influence. The story of Glory, who has ended up a disappointment to her parents but has a chance at redemption is also so perfect. Glory is a bit jaded and cranky but when a Nigerian man starts working at her company, she ends up in her first serious relationship and has the potential to make her parents happy.
Each of these stories is something to be savored. I am so impressed!
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