The Lambeth Readers and Writers Festival 2010 with Nadifa Mohamed

The Lambeth Readers and Writers Festival 2010 offers a month-long programme of inspirational events.

The festival includes something to appeal to all ages and tastes. There will be talks and discussions with a wide range of authors – from the well-known to the up and coming. And it’s all free of charge.

Nadifa Mohamed – ‘Black Mamba Boy’, Thursday 20 May, 7pm at Streatham Library.

Nominated for the Orange Prize for Fiction, Nadifa Mohamed tells the story of the Black Mamba Boy – a stunning novel set in 1930s Somalia spanning a decade of war and upheaval, all seen through the eyes of Jama, a ten year-old boy alone in the world.

Aden 1935: a city vibrant, alive, and full of hidden dangers, but when Jama’s mother dies unexpectedly he finds himself totally alone. Jama is forced home to his native Somalia, the land of his nomadic ancestors. War is on the horizon and the fascist Italian forces who control parts of east Africa are preparing for battle. And so begins an epic journey which will take Jama north through Djibouti, war-torn Eritrea and Sudan, to Egypt and from there, across the seas, to Britain and freedom.

This story of one boy’s long walk to freedom is also the story of how the Second World War affected Africa and its people, a story of displacement and family.

For more information or to book tickets for Lambeth Libraries events please call 020 7926 1075 or email readersandwriters@lambeth.gov.uk.

To avoid disappointment please book for all events.