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Sankofa
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Sara Powell
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Publisher's Summary
Masterful in its examination of freedom, prejudice, and personal and public inheritance, Sankofa is a story for anyone who has ever gone looking for a clear identity or home and found something more complex in its place.
Anna is at a stage of her life when she's beginning to wonder who she really is. She has separated from her husband, her daughter is all grown up, and her mother - the only parent who raised her - is dead.
Searching through her mother's belongings one day, Anna finds clues about the African father she never knew. His student diaries chronicle his involvement in radical politics in 1970s London. Anna discovers that he eventually became the president - some would say dictator - of a small nation in West Africa. And he is still alive....
When Anna decides to track her father down, a journey begins that is disarmingly moving, funny, and fascinating. Like the metaphorical bird that gives the novel its name, Sankofa expresses the importance of reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present to address universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for a family's hidden roots.
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What listeners say about Sankofa
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- Diana Swiatkowski
- 11-12-21
Not my favorite
I felt the narrator did a great job of telling the story. The story itself was very boring.
22 people found this helpful
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- Buddy
- 10-15-21
Really addictive!
I heard about this book on "The View" last week. The description peaked my interest.
I'm SO glad I listened to this title. It really does take you on a great journey that brings together such well-developed characters and visual imagery.
Sara Powell's narration was s gift in itself. She brought the characters to life with so much passion and artistic precision. I hope Chibundu Onuzo's masterpiece is made into a film.
PLEASE get this audiobook. It does not disappoint.
20 people found this helpful
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- MzJazz
- 11-10-21
Not Exciting
I finished just to see if it would get better. Slow to start & boring.
15 people found this helpful
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- lucyhaagen
- 01-08-22
Captures complexity of Africa & Biracial identity
Loved this book for its well-drawn characters- Afro-British protagonist caught between classes and races in Britain and
"too white" for easy acceptance in Africa. Reserved, poor, conscientious African student turned freedom fighter and then grotesquely rich, autocratic president. Graceful, authentic writing - great question asked "would your younger self approve of who you've become" Deals with political/economic complexities of colonial and newly independent African countries
Especially impressive in this era of absolutes and division to see that humans can be both good and evil, admirable and deeply flawed.
11 people found this helpful
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- Aron
- 10-19-21
Excellence in storytelling
This was a wonderful masterfully told story. Very well read by Sara. I felt she took me on the trip with her voice. I loved the unfolding of the characters and the depth of the father. The history which woven into the story maintained my interest throughout. The understanding that was concluded on when the story came to an end. I really loved this book and was happy to listen to it.
11 people found this helpful
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- Scheris Schuring
- 12-27-21
Fantastic story and brilliant narration
In the beginning, I was distracted by the voice accent and difficult character names, but soon I was able to tune my ear and Sara won me over. She is incredibly talented at reading for so many different voices and accents. I loved the entire book, had no idea what the ending would be and I was amazed by it all.
10 people found this helpful
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- Shannon K Winning
- 11-11-21
Beautifully written and beautifully performed.
I highly recommend this novel. The characters are rich, flawed, and admirable. I loved it.
10 people found this helpful
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- Jayep99
- 10-23-21
What a book!!!!!
I loved and more loved this book!! The story was just amazing. I could relate to the story because I have never met my father!
9 people found this helpful
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- Lorraine Glaser
- 10-14-21
Beautiful story!
What a beautiful story of discovery and family and connection. The narration was absolutely incredible!!
8 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-23-22
Narration and Story so Entertaining
Sankofa, a word that translates into “go back and get or retrieve “ is well worth a read. The story is exciting and interesting and the characters are well developed and believable. Onuzo is a skilled writer who draws you in quickly and holds you. I especially enjoy her attention to the tiniest of details.
The narration of this book is superb, especially the wide range of characters the narrator was able to perform so brilliantly. Sankofa was entertaining and beautifully written.
6 people found this helpful