A dazzling novel of family, identity and self
Growing up in London with Tunisian parents, wayward Nessie finds herself caught between cultures. Her life is further complicated by the charismatic Mrs Brown, who befriends her parents and then betrays them. Years later, as Nessie seeks independence by moving to Japan, she begins to wonder: what really happened between her parents and Mrs Brown?
'An immersive and gorgeous read' —Eva Verde, author of Lives Like Mine

Perfect for fans of Toni Morrison and Zadie Smith

Wayward Nessie is caught between cultures: too English for her Tunisian parents, yet not 'white enough' or 'African enough' to fit in with any of the groups at school. Her father is determined to make the family 'respectable', while Mama is lost in nostalgia for the country she left behind. 

Even Nessie's sister Sherine, who appears to find it easiest to slip between identities, faces struggles of her own. Then there is the charismatic Mrs Brown, who befriended her parents on their arrival in England. 

Years later, struggling with patterns of self-sabotage, Nessie returns home to confront the mysteries of her childhood. Forced to re-examine everything she thought she knew, she begins to wonder: what really happened between her parents and Mrs Brown?

A rich exploration of culture, identity, and family secrets.