*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Very different from most books i have read before and although this was very long it was a great read! would recommend!

I struggled to get invested and pulled into this book. I don't think it is a reflection on the book and hope to get back to it soon.

I have realized that I struggle reading books set in New York as I've lived here all my life and often struggle to see it as many others from other places do. That is my own issue, not the authors!.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

I really loved this book. I ended up listening to the audiobook which was really well narrated.
I was really impressed with the way humor was used to keep the painful topics from overwhelming the reader and also the protagonist. I read many reviews that said this book tried to be to many different things, but I disagree. The NYC publishing world seen through the eyes of a Nigerian visiting editor was so laid bare to reveal the outrageousness of racism and white supremacy that infiltrates everything in the US. Ekong's relative optimism in the face of so many obstacles (the "humane society", the bedbugs, the ever-complicated politics of his own country and effects of the Biafran War) was almost unbelievable and also really endearing. I enjoyed his character so much and how he made the best of many things, but also didn't hesitate to confront many issues head on. I am impressed by the author as this book was so multi-layered! And the soccer was fun to read about. It's a long book and it's pretty intense, but I couldn't put it down/ take off my headphones.

3.5 stars This book was super interesting. Also, why do I have such a huge weakness for books that have a cover with a book on it?

Akpan has given us a fantastic novel from the point of view of our protagonist, Ekong Odousoro that really shows the seediness and racism of the publishing industry and of housing. He comes to America to publish his book and gets swept up in the excitement of NYC. However, things that seem great on the surface quickly devolve into greed and bedbugs.

One of the strengths of this book is the way our author weaves in the history of the terrible Biafran War in Nigeria that killed so many people. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even know that this war happened so being able to put myself in Ekong's shoes really opened my eyes to the atrocities of this war. The trauma from this war is still being felt today, and the world's lack of knowledge of it compounds the feelings of those living in the region.

I wouldn't have minded it if this book was a solid 50 pages shorter. Anything over 350 can overwhelm me so 416 felt like a bit much.

All in all, this was a great book. Just maybe have some lotion on hand because I'm still itching after reading about all those bed bugs. Shiver.

An interesting story about Ekong Udousoro who is a Nigerian editor undertaking a reckoning with the brutal recent history of his homeland by curating a collection of stories about the Biafran War. He is given the opportunity to continue his work in Manhattan while learning the ins and outs of publishing. I found the story engaging and well-written. Loved the writing style and the storytelling.

An interesting, educational, and thoughtful look at the publishing industry as well as the Biafran war. Ekong, a Nigerian book editor, struggles to get a visa to come to the US for his fellowship but finally, with help, gets to New York, where he finds himself living in an illegal sublet beset with bedbugs,. He's a man out of place, espaecually at the publishing house where he's meant to be editing a collection about Biafra. The casual comments of his colleagues are searing. His neighbors look askance at him. He's not comfortable anywhere. It's instructive. Those who only vaguely, if at all, remember the Biafran War will find the passages (which include notes) will find this educational. At root, however, it's Ekong who shines, This might have benefited from another edit to tighten it a bit to be honest, I'm not sure what I would have pared. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read for fans of literary fiction.

New York, My Village too! And I think it’s my village in a way that I now despise all the things that new comers enjoy. I’m talking to you Ekong, stay away from Times Square, man! Go get your coffee from your corner shop or from a bodega: Starbucks is not the answer (haha!). Now that my rant is over, let’s focus on the other parts of this story.

Ekong came from Nigeria to edit an anthology on Biafran War that wrecked his childhood. Troubles started for him right from the beginning. First how to get the US visa without putting yourself through the most emotionally draining process in the world? Well, he had to try multiple times and get some top down push. Then, how to find an apartment that doesn’t feel like you are not living in NYC yet you are not paying so much? Hmm, maybe illegally sublet a rent controlled apartment without knowing. Next, how to deal with new dude on the block syndrome both on the block and in the workplace? Speak up and be friendly (well, let me know if that ever works)

Lastly, how to be a black man, how to be an African without facing racist face of America without wanting to leave in 5 seconds? That, my friend, unfortunately a question I cannot answer… Through Ekong’s eyes, we get to see how many different ways out there for a person to be alienated. I lost track of it at some point. Although I wanted to skip some chapters, Uwem Akpan looks at racism in every environment possible. If you are interested in reading about racism and effects of it and learn about Nigerian history and food, this is a good one to pick

Ekong Udousoro is an editor living in Nigeria but has big plans to relocate. Having won a Toni Morrison Fellowship for Black Editors, he is heading to a publishing house to not only work, but also pursue his passion project, recording oral interviews of the Annang war victims. Leaving Nigeria and getting to America isn’t as easy as winning a fellowship. The people in charge of issuing visas are suspicious of Ekong’s project, flagging it as too political. This is a novel about immigration, being Black in America, the publishing industry and finding one’s tribe. This was a fascinating and compelling read. Akpan is a fantastic writer and I was completely absorbed in this story where I also learned a lot about the Biafran War. This will appeal to both literary readers and readers passionate about African history. Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the advanced review copy.

Ekong Udousoro is attempting to curate stories about the Biafra War. He winds up landing a fellowship to work alongside an American publisher in Manhattan where he attends meetings and works amongst others reviewing possible future contracts.

New York, My Village seamlessly shifts between Ekong’s life in the present day to accounts of the war from his collection of stories and from his friends and family. It'd be nice to say that there were no similarities to be drawn between past and present but that simply isn't the case. We watch rampant racism happening amongst the well educated colleagues at the publishing house, which is the one place you would expect such a topic to be a non-issue. If racism is happening between members of a higher academic standing, what does that mean for every other place one has to go throughout their daily life.

Between the strong fluent prose and the metaphors woven through the story there is so much to gain from reading this book. Uwem Akpan has managed to write a book that you want to read, even while it's making you uncomfortable, and its a book that stays with you a makes you think, hopefully inspiring the reader to outrage and action to help society evolve past the hateful and wrong attitudes of too many of its members.

I cannot recommend this book enough. There is some potential for this book to go far and make a splash in our literary world and our hearts given enough people pick it up. It will certainly be worth your time.

Thank you to netgalley and publisher for an advance e-copy for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my genuine reactions to reading this book.

A Nigerian man comes to New York to learn publishing and is confronted with many personal challenges including different forms of racism and bedbugs. At times this book is hilarious, other parts will make you cringe.