Nigerian novelist, Yewande Omotoso’s most recent novel, An Unusual Grief, was inspired by her experience of loss: ‘My mother died when I was 23, and apart from the recent birth of my children, that is the most profound experience of my life. The grief that followed is a sharp memory of mine and I’ve often joked that the experience irrevocably marked my writing.’
First Draft is our interview column, featuring authors and other prominent figures on books, reading, and writing.
Our questions are italicized.
What books or kinds of books did you read growing up?
In my pre-teen years, I read books such as Yoruba Girl Dancing by Simi Bedford, Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell and books by Rosa Guy. I also read a lot of Enid Blyton and Betsy Byars. In addition, my parents exposed my brothers and I to a range of books and comics. By doing this, they were non-discriminating, and I really appreciate that especially now as an adult...
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