Housegirl: A Novel

"I hate novels. This is a strong statement, I know – but here’s why I make it before telling you about Housegirl: I hate novels because too often, I know exactly where the story is heading, where the characters are heading. I loved Housegirl because Michael Donkor’s storytelling and character building were so exquisite. I wanted to see how the might-as-well-be-orphaned 17-year-old Ghana-born Belinda was going to fare in London, where she was not expected to be a domestic, but to accomplish a job far harder: figuring out sullen, withdrawn Amma, who’s not living up to the expectations of her traditional Ghanian parents. Two days after I finished the book, I found myself actually missing the characters. This is a rare accomplishment for a first-time author, which is why I recommend Housegirl – even though it’s a novel."