In this series, we briefly highlight new books in our collection that have been creating a buzz in the literary world. Today’s entry is “The Old Drift” by Namwali Serpell!
“On the banks of the Zambezi River, a few miles from the majestic Victoria Falls, there was once a colonial settlement called The Old Drift. Here begins the story of a small African nation, told by a swarm-like chorus that calls itself man’s greatest nemesis.
In 1904, in a smoky room at the hotel across the river, an Old Drifter named Percy M. Clark, foggy with fever, makes a mistake that entangles the fates of an Italian hotelier and an African busboy. This sets off a cycle of unwitting retribution between three Zambian families (black, white, brown) as they collide and converge over the course of the century, into the present and beyond. As the generations pass, their lives – their triumphs, errors, losses and hopes – form a symphony about what it means to be human.
From a woman covered with hair and another plagued with endless tears, to forbidden love affairs and fiery political ones, to homegrown technological marvels like Afronauts, microdrones and viral vaccines – this novel sweeps over the years and the globe.” -From Goodreads.com
Is this something you’d like to read? You can put a hold on our copy today by logging in to our catalog Here, or you can call the Reference Desk at 732-873-8700 ext.111 to place a hold.
Thanks for reading!
-George, FTPL
