How Beautiful We Were

Based on the New York Times bestseller, How Beautiful We Were is a powerful story of environmental degradation and the fight for freedom. Set in the fictional African village of Kosawa, the people are living in fear amidst environmental degradation wrought by an American oil company. They decide to fight back, but it will come at a steep price.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd

A PEN/FAULKNER AWARD FINALIST, "How Beautiful We Were" is a sweeping and quietly devastating novel that delves into the heart-wrenching consequences of environmental degradation caused by an American oil company in the fictional African village of Kosawa. The story unfolds as the people of Kosawa live in constant fear, facing the devastating effects of pipeline spills that have rendered their farmlands infertile and caused children to fall ill from drinking toxic water. Promises of clean-up and financial reparations are made, only to be broken time and again, leaving the community with few choices but to fight back against the oppressive forces that threaten their way of life. The novel is a powerful exploration of the intersection of profit-driven capitalism, colonialism's lingering ghosts, and the unwavering determination of a community to protect their ancestral land and secure their freedom. Through the eyes of a young woman named Nkem, the story unfolds as she sacrifices everything for the sake of her people's freedom, facing the daunting challenges and hardships that come with their struggle. "How Beautiful We Were" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in the face of adversity. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about the impact of corporate greed on the environment and the lives of marginalized communities.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838851378
Edition number: Main