A review by pumpkaboo
New York, My Village by Uwem Akpan

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Author Uwem Akpan highlights the minority experience, both in Nigeria and the United States. Through narrative storytelling, Akpan teaches the reader about the Biafran War, aka the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) and it's impact on people of minority groups such as the Annang people. He touches on experiences of racism in the workplace, in the American public and in federal embassies through the perspective of the main character, Ekong. The description of workplace racism and feelings of betrayal from the two-faced colleagues was painfully accurate. This type of experience is surely relatable to most BIPOC in the USA. The main character is catholic and religion is a main aspect of this story. The way Israel is mentioned, but never Palestine, may reflect the perspectives of the characters but is one thing I felt a bit disappointed about in this book. 
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