Publications
Partners
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue (first published in 2016 by Fourth Estate)
Imbolo Mbue’s debut work was the subject of a six figure auction in the States last year, and it is quite evident as to why that is.
This book deals with the well documented but elusive American dream, exploring themes of marriage, class, race, and influence using two contrasting families in New York in 2007. Firstly, we have Jende and his wife, Neni, and their son.
They hail from Cameroon and have been living in the tough suburb of Harlem for over a year, waiting for Jende’s green card to come through so that they can officially begin the process to become Americans.
They are barely making ends meet, and Jende is working around the clock as a taxi driver.
Despite this, Jende, in particular, views everything in New York as glorious and perfect.
Even in the face of discrimination and poverty, he appears to be convincing himself of this – perhaps in light of how much they have given up to get to New York, he feels that he must be grateful just to be there.
However, their world changes dramatically when Jende lands a job as a chauffeur for Clark, a senior partner at Lehman Brothers, a large and respected banking firm.
Clark also works around the clock, but more in an effort to continue to provide a high end lifestyle for his wife, Cindy, and two children, rather than just getting by. He needs a discreet driver whom he can pay well and finds one in Jende.
Through these relationships, Mbue highlights the immense difficulties that both families face as they blindly pursue their version of the American dream.
As the story unfolds, the reader begins to realise that Clark’s family is deeply unhappy, and that his marriage is an exceptionally difficult one. Cindy has issues of her own, but both strive hard to project an air of perfection for the rest of the world to observe.
Jende and Neni, by virtue of association, are drawn into this saga and soon have to ask themselves just how much of themselves they are willing to sacrifice to become citizens in this country.
Mbue uses the contrasts between the two families well, exposing their insecurities and desires against the backdrop of their daily lives.
This is an incredibly insightful story from an author who will inevitably draw comparisons with award winning Chimamanda Adichie. Yet Imbolo Mbue is a talent in her own right, and I can only look forward to seeing what subject matter she will tackle in her second book.
Purchase a copy of Behold the Dreamers from Takealot.com
You might also like:
Book review: The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso
Book review: Different Class by Joanne Harris
