A coming of age story about Dele, a young student, and his sister Dapo whp glide through love, politics and violence; Diran Adebayo's debut is funny, street-smart fiction which puts language through hoops to create an exhilarating odyssey through the London scene.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'A gloriously capable and confident writer...Some Kind of Black is thoughtful, witty and moving...it is refreshing to read something so extrovert and alert...I urge you to read it' THE TIMES 'Strikingly innovative...Adebayo's novel wryly captures the essence of a tribalised society, and, in doing so, has a powerful resonance for us all, black or white, as his complex web of storylines and characters culminates in a surprising denouncement.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'Sharply written and exceptional' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Magnificent and seductively Nineties' - Julie Myerson 'A classic coming of age tale...marks the debut of a serious talent' - GQ 'Dissects British race relations with a scalpel wit that leaves every stereotype begging for mercy' - THE FACE 'It records experience unlike any previously seen in British Fiction.' THE BOOKSELLER 'An individual and thought-provoking debut... challenges his readers... to think about the issues it raises.' INDEPENDENT 'This is a good read.' GUARDIAN 'Undeniably a writer to look out for... Adebayo's writing is of a new breed and is a valuable insight not just into the mind of today's black London youth but also into the concers of youth in general.' EVENING STANDARD 'Reinvention of the London novel as filtered through the lens of racial identities and cultural dispossession. Adebayo makes us reassess our cosy liberalism and forces us into the recognition that difference always makes a difference.' ARENA 'An engaging debut that stands above many similar efforts... well written... charts new territory with skill and imagination.' LITERARY REVIEW 'Compelling, emotive and painfully truthful.' PRIDE 'Written in a combination of stylish prose and street vernacular.' THE BIG ISSUE 'It deploys both merciless laughter and humane understanding to dissect the prejudices and politics of colour. This is done with a rare sublety and intellectual integrity.' SCOTSMAN 'Engaging and graphically described.' CANBERRA SUNDAY TIMES 'A marvellous read, deserving the widest possible audience.' BOOKSELLER
About the Author
Diran Adebayo grew up and lives in London. After studying law at Oxford he worked in journalism and broadcasting. His acclaimed first novel, Some Kind of Black, won a number of awards including the 1995 Saga Prize and a Betty Trask Award. His second nove,l My Once Upon a Time, received massive critical acclaim. He has since written drama for radio and television and is working on his third novel.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bit of London in the 90s,
This review is from: Some Kind of Black Pb (Virago Modern Classics) (Paperback)
Crikey have that many people bought this book! How it will register to non-Londoners not quite sure. The slang is legit, so are the tunes. Solid writing carries it though it occasionally wanders. Wished some of the many potent scenes were extended and explored. Think of main character Dele as the kind of person you might meet in the street of a foreign city, strike up a relationship with and then be shown several interesting and new places, but without any real help from his part as to what to make of them. Catch it most of all for great snapshots of London life covering Brixton, local council rallies, and a few of choice varieties of denizen. Things nice to play and flavour any impressions when visiting or simply residing in the grand old city.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too ordinary..,
By A Customer
This review is from: Some Kind of Black Pb (Virago Modern Classics) (Paperback)
I read this book a few months ago and I found it average, not too good, not too bad. It's the story of a young black Nigerian-oriented student in London. I found Adebayo's narrative quite slang and way too informal. It's not a bad book, but there are definitely better coming-of-age novels than this one.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
What kind of black?,
By A Customer
This review is from: Some Kind of Black Pb (Virago Modern Classics) (Paperback)
An under researched book that fails to capture a sense of Black London. Interesting writing style but the portrayed environment doesn't ring true.
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