Overview

The proud Republic of Liberia was founded in the 19th century with the triumphant return of the freed slaves from America to Africa. Once back `home', however, these Americo-Liberians had to integrate with the resident tribes - who did not want or welcome them. Against a background of French and British colonialists busily carving up Mother Africa, while local tribes were still unashamedly trading in slaves . . . the vulnerable newcomers felt trapped and out of place. Where men should have stood shoulder to shoulder, they turned on each other instead. THE LAND OF MY FATHERS plunges us into this world. But in the midst of turmoil, there is friendship. Edward Richard, a man born into slavery and a preacher by profession, is convinced that the future of Liberia lies in bringing peace amongst the tribes. His mission takes him to the far north, where he meets an extraordinary man, Halay. Edward's new and dearest friend is ready to sacrifice his own life to protect his country; for the Liberians believe that with Halay's death, no war will ever threaten their land. A century later, this belief is crushed when war engulfs the land, bearing away with it the descendants of both Edward and Halay.

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9781908446541

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The proud Republic of Liberia was founded in the 19th century with the triumphant return of the freed slaves from America to Africa. Once back `home', however, these Americo-Liberians had to integrate with the resident tribes. The proud Republic of Liberia was founded in the 19th century with the triumphant return of the freed slaves from America to Africa. Once back `home', however, these Americo-Liberians had to integrate with the resident tribes - who did not want or welcome them. Against a background of French and British colonialists busily carving up Mother Africa, while local tribes were still unashamedly trading in slaves . . . the vulnerable newcomers felt trapped and out of place. Where men should have stood shoulder to shoulder, they turned on each other instead. THE LAND OF MY FATHERS plunges us into this world. But in the midst of turmoil, there is friendship. Edward Richard, a man born into slavery and a preacher by profession, is convinced that the future of Liberia lies in bringing peace amongst the tribes. His mission takes him to the far north, where he meets an extraordinary man, Halay. Edward's new and dearest friend is ready to sacrifice his own life to protect his country; for the Liberians believe that with Halay's death, no war will ever threaten their land. A century later, this belief is crushed when war engulfs the land, bearing away with it the descendants of both Edward and Halay. Vamba Sherif is an author, journalist and film critic living in the Netherlands. Born in Kolahun, Liberia in 1973, he moved to Kuwait in his early teens. At the outbreak of the first Gulf War he left Kuwait to settle first in Damascus, Syria, and then in the Netherlands, where he read Law before becoming a journalist and writer. What an achievement,' Moses Isegawa, (The Abbysinian Chronicles); `A work rooted in the slave narrative tradition of Alex Haley's Roots. Not a word more, not a word less. A taut, controlled narrative,' (Standard Der Letteren); `Well written, lyrical story for the general public,' (The Association of Dutch libraries); `A roman into which you would gladly crawl,' (The Groene Amsterdammer); `Sherif creates unity between two worlds. It's a novel that is valid,' (Johan Diepstraten, author) FOCUS ON AFRICA - BBC World Service - November 2016; ARTS DAILY- BBC World Service - November 2016

Sherif creates unity between two worlds. --Johan Diepstraten

Author Information

Vamba Sherif is an author, journalist and film critic living in the Netherlands. Born in Kolahun, Liberia in 1973, he moved to Kuwait in his early teens. At the outbreak of the first Gulf War he left Kuwait to settle first in Damascus, Syria, and then in the Netherlands, where he read Law before becoming a journalist and writer.

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