My Name Is Why

My Name Is Why

Indie Book Awards 2021 Non-Fiction Winner

Paperback (02 Jul 2020)

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Publisher's Synopsis

THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
INDIE BOOK AWARDS NON-FICTION WINNER

'EXTRAORDINARY' The Times, 'BEAUTIFUL' Dolly Alderton, 'SHATTERING' Observer, 'INCREDIBLE' Benjamin Zephaniah, 'UNPUTDOWNABLE' Sunday Times, 'ASTOUNDING' Matt Haig, 'POWERFUL' Elif Shafak

At the age of seventeen, after a childhood in a foster family followed by six years in care homes, Norman Greenwood was given his birth certificate. He learned that his real name was not Norman. It was Lemn Sissay. He was British and Ethiopian. And he learned that his mother had been pleading for his safe return to her since his birth.

This is Lemn's story: a story of neglect and determination, misfortune and hope, cruelty and triumph.

Sissay reflects on his childhood, self-expression and Britishness, and in doing so explores the institutional care system, race, family and the meaning of home. Written with all the lyricism and power you would expect from one of the nation's best-loved poets, this moving, frank and timely memoir is the result of a life spent asking questions, and a celebration of the redemptive power of creativity.

Book information

ISBN: 9781786892362
Publisher: Canongate Books
Imprint: Canongate
Pub date:
Edition: Indie Book Awards 2021 Non-Fiction Winner
DEWEY: 821.92
DEWEY edition: 23
Language: English
Number of pages: 212
Weight: 156g
Height: 199mm
Width: 130mm
Spine width: 15mm