Nadia Owusu could not have had a more complicated early life. Her father was from Ghana. Her mother was Armenian American. Her mother left when she was three years old. She lived with an aunt in England until her father and stepmother took her and her sister to live in Italy. Her father died when she was 14 and she lived in different parts of Africa with her stepmother, sister and half brother until she was 18, when she moved to the US. There are no spoilers in what I have just described. This is all clear from the outset. But Owusu’s beautiful memoir is a long meditation on the repercussions of this life without stability or a clear sense of identity. She moves back and forth in time and place, always coming back to a few days in her late 20s when her life seemed to have fallen apart. Owusu’s writing is rich and intense. Her thoughts about identity are interesting and nuanced. At times, it was a bit claustrophobic to be so immersed on Owusu’s head. But overall, Aftershocks was well worth reading for Owusu’s life experience and broader insights. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

I have just finished reading Aftershocks - A Memoir by Nadia Owusu

This was an outstanding memoir, and first book by the author. It is an honest and heartfelt book about her life that spans many countries and cultures.

She had a very special bond with her father and had a mother who abandoned her when she was only two years old.

She was brought up primary by a stepmom, and aunt and her father who worked for the UN so travelled a great deal, but he taught her much about life.

This is an author who has an amazing command of words and story telling

I would highly recommend this book and will watch for more books from her in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Nadia Owusu, and Simon & Schuster Canada for my advanced copy to read and review.