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9781455121489

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[An] absorbing first novel, told through the eyes of the bright and observant Blessing...A memorable debut novel about a Nigerian girl's coming of age. -- Kirkus Reviews [An] assured, absorbing first novel...Watson's cleanly told coming-of-age story generates real narrative momentum. -- Cleveland Plain Dealer [An] impressive debut...Watson's nuanced portrayal of daily life in Nigeria is peopled with flawed but tenacious characters who fight not only for survival but for dignity. Blessing is a wonderful narrator whose vivid impressions enliven Watson's sensual prose. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) A fascinating, poignant story that had me laughing in places and deeply moved in others. -- Ike Anya, Nigerian public-health physician and writer A first novel that knows how to tell a story, concocting a voice that lures us. Perfect pitch is not reserved for musicians; some novelists have it, too. From the very first page of her very first book, Christie Watson proves she possesses it, creating a voice that tells a tale we can't put down. -- Barnes and Noble, editorial review A sure-footed debut narrated by twelve-year-old Blessing, a girl growing up too fast in the troubled Niger Delta. -- People Alick lives up to Watson's lyrical prose and delivers a gripping presentation of life amid war as well as a celebration of the will to survive. -- AudioFile An excellent novel. It takes the reader deep into the reality of ordinary life in Nigeria and is also funny, moving, and politically alert. -- Giles Foden, award-winning author of The Last King of Scotland Blessing's is a distinctive voice, at once credulous and curious...The same might be said of Watson herself; her descriptions of character and place are beautifully observed. A promising new talent. -- Independent (London) Christie Watson's debut novel, set in the troubled Niger Delta, does what fiction does best: it captures place and characters so well that you feel you are also there. It is sincere, it is powerfully written, and it deserves to be read. -- Helon Habila, award-winning author of Oil on Water Confronting issues of race, class, and religion, this work ponders idealistic ignorance in a way that is reminiscent of Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease. Watson's story will appeal to readers of African and literary fiction. -- Library Journal It's a profound shock to find themselves in terrible poverty, without clean water or electricity and subject to raids by the terrifying 'Area boys'...Yet this is not a bleak book: there is humor and love, especially in the growing relationship between Blessing and her grandmother, a traditional midwife. Absorbing and passionate. -- Guardian (London) Lyrical and beautifully drawn, a poignant coming-of-age tale, set in an Africa few readers will have experienced. A must-read. -- Lesley Lokko, author of Sundowners, Saffron Skies, and Bitter Chocolate So good I had to lie down after reading it. -- Trezza Azzopardi, author of The Song House The gripping, triumphant tale of a girl who chooses life over loss, in a sweet but savage world where oil is bled from the earth. -- Lola Shoneyin, author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives Through the lens of young girl's coming-of-age, this breakthrough novel views the politics of contemporary Nigeria, portraying the clash between traditional and modern as it affects one extended family. -- Booklist Watson has written an immensely absorbing novel. It is both heart wrenching and consoling. -- Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters Street

[An] absorbing first novel, told through the eyes of the bright and observant Blessing...A memorable debut novel about a Nigerian girl's coming of age. -- Kirkus Reviews A first novel that knows how to tell a story, concocting a voice that lures us. Perfect pitch is not reserved for musicians; some novelists have it, too. From the very first page of her very first book, Christie Watson proves she possesses it, creating a voice that tells a tale we can't put down. -- Barnes and Noble, editorial review Through the lens of young girl's coming-of-age, this breakthrough novel views the politics of contemporary Nigeria, portraying the clash between traditional and modern as it affects one extended family. -- Booklist Confronting issues of race, class, and religion, this work ponders idealistic ignorance in a way that is reminiscent of Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease. Watson's story will appeal to readers of African and literary fiction. -- Library Journal Alick lives up to Watson's lyrical prose and delivers a gripping presentation of life amid war as well as a celebration of the will to survive. -- AudioFile [An] impressive debut...Watson's nuanced portrayal of daily life in Nigeria is peopled with flawed but tenacious characters who fight not only for survival but for dignity. Blessing is a wonderful narrator whose vivid impressions enliven Watson's sensual prose. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) Watson has written an immensely absorbing novel. It is both heart wrenching and consoling. -- Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters Street Christie Watson's debut novel, set in the troubled Niger Delta, does what fiction does best: it captures place and characters so well that you feel you are also there. It is sincere, it is powerfully written, and it deserves to be read. -- Helon Habila, award-winning author of Oil on Water It's a profound shock to find themselves in terrible poverty, without clean water or electricity and subject to raids by the terrifying 'Area boys'...Yet this is not a bleak book: there is humor and love, especially in the growing relationship between Blessing and her grandmother, a traditional midwife. Absorbing and passionate. -- Guardian (London) Blessing's is a distinctive voice, at once credulous and curious...The same might be said of Watson herself; her descriptions of character and place are beautifully observed. A promising new talent. -- Independent (London) An excellent novel. It takes the reader deep into the reality of ordinary life in Nigeria and is also funny, moving, and politically alert. -- Giles Foden, award-winning author of The Last King of Scotland [An] assured, absorbing first novel...Watson's cleanly told coming-of-age story generates real narrative momentum. -- Cleveland Plain Dealer So good I had to lie down after reading it. -- Trezza Azzopardi, author of The Song House Lyrical and beautifully drawn, a poignant coming-of-age tale, set in an Africa few readers will have experienced. A must-read. -- Lesley Lokko, author of Sundowners, Saffron Skies, and Bitter Chocolate The gripping, triumphant tale of a girl who chooses life over loss, in a sweet but savage world where oil is bled from the earth. -- Lola Shoneyin, author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives A fascinating, poignant story that had me laughing in places and deeply moved in others. -- Ike Anya, Nigerian public-health physician and writer A sure-footed debut narrated by twelve-year-old Blessing, a girl growing up too fast in the troubled Niger Delta. -- People

[An] absorbing first novel, told through the eyes of the bright and observant Blessing...A memorable debut novel about a Nigerian girl's coming of age. -- Kirkus Reviews A first novel that knows how to tell a story, concocting a voice that lures us. Perfect pitch is not reserved for musicians; some novelists have it, too. From the very first page of her very first book, Christie Watson proves she possesses it, creating a voice that tells a tale we can't put down. -- Barnes and Noble, editorial review Through the lens of young girl's coming-of-age, this breakthrough novel views the politics of contemporary Nigeria, portraying the clash between traditional and modern as it affects one extended family. -- Booklist Confronting issues of race, class, and religion, this work ponders idealistic ignorance in a way that is reminiscent of Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease. Watson's story will appeal to readers of African and literary fiction. -- Library Journal Alick lives up to Watson's lyrical prose and delivers a gripping presentation of life amid war as well as a celebration of the will to survive. -- AudioFile [An] impressive debut...Watson's nuanced portrayal of daily life in Nigeria is peopled with flawed but tenacious characters who fight not only for survival but for dignity. Blessing is a wonderful narrator whose vivid impressions enliven Watson's sensual prose. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) [An] assured, absorbing first novel...Watson's cleanly told coming-of-age story generates real narrative momentum. -- Cleveland Plain Dealer So good I had to lie down after reading it. -- Trezza Azzopardi, author of The Song House Lyrical and beautifully drawn, a poignant coming-of-age tale, set in an Africa few readers will have experienced. A must-read. -- Lesley Lokko, author of Sundowners, Saffron Skies, and Bitter Chocolate The gripping, triumphant tale of a girl who chooses life over loss, in a sweet but savage world where oil is bled from the earth. -- Lola Shoneyin, author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives A fascinating, poignant story that had me laughing in places and deeply moved in others. -- Ike Anya, Nigerian public-health physician and writer A sure-footed debut narrated by twelve-year-old Blessing, a girl growing up too fast in the troubled Niger Delta. -- People Watson has written an immensely absorbing novel. It is both heart wrenching and consoling. -- Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters Street Christie Watson's debut novel, set in the troubled Niger Delta, does what fiction does best: it captures place and characters so well that you feel you are also there. It is sincere, it is powerfully written, and it deserves to be read. -- Helon Habila, award-winning author of Oil on Water It's a profound shock to find themselves in terrible poverty, without clean water or electricity and subject to raids by the terrifying 'Area boys'...Yet this is not a bleak book: there is humor and love, especially in the growing relationship between Blessing and her grandmother, a traditional midwife. Absorbing and passionate. -- Guardian (London) Blessing's is a distinctive voice, at once credulous and curious...The same might be said of Watson herself; her descriptions of character and place are beautifully observed. A promising new talent. -- Independent (London) An excellent novel. It takes the reader deep into the reality of ordinary life in Nigeria and is also funny, moving, and politically alert. -- Giles Foden, award-winning author of The Last King of Scotland

Author Information

Christie Watson trained as a pediatric nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and worked as a senior staff nurse and educator for over ten years before joining the University of East Anglia for her MA in creative writing. There she won the Malcolm Bradbury Bursary for her work. She lives in South London with her Nigerian Muslim partner and their large dual-heritage family. Claudia Alick is a playwright, stage actress, writer, producer, and teacher. She is the Artistic Director of Smokin Word Production, a theater, recording, and small press company dedicated to building the new genre of spoken word and hip-hop theater. American Theatre magazine identified her as one of the twenty-five theater artists who will shape American theater in the next twenty-five years.

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