In the Ditch
A poignant tale of motherhood and survival
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd
Published:31st Aug '23
Should be back in stock very soon
A single mother struggles to raise her children in a crumbling estate while navigating poverty and the welfare system in In the Ditch.
In the Ditch is a poignant exploration of the struggles faced by a single mother, Adah, living in a dilapidated housing estate in London. As she battles the overwhelming challenges of raising five children in an environment filled with poverty, she also confronts the complex welfare system that perpetuates her situation. The narrative shines a light on her resilience and determination to create a better life for her family, even as she navigates the harsh realities of her surroundings.
Buchi Emecheta's debut novel is not just a personal story; it serves as a powerful commentary on the intersections of sexism and classism. Through Adah's eyes, readers witness the societal structures that keep individuals trapped in cycles of hardship. The book balances moments of sorrow with unexpected humor, making it both a heart-wrenching and occasionally hilarious read. Emecheta's writing is deeply reflective of her own experiences, adding authenticity and depth to Adah's journey.
In the Ditch has earned its place among the Penguin Modern Classics, alongside Emecheta's other significant works. The novel resonates with themes of hope, friendship, and survival, reminding readers of the strength found in community and the pursuit of dreams. Buchi Emecheta's legacy as a pioneer of black British women's writing is firmly established through this remarkable first novel.
Sad, sonorous, occasionally hilarious, an extraordinary first novel -- Adrianne Blue * The Washington Post *
Striking . . . a world rarely brought to life on the page with the candor and intensity of firsthand experience . . .brings sexism and classism into equal focus -- Lucy Scholes * The Paris Review *
Bold, brave, defiant, and determined, Buchi Emecheta graced the world with her first novel in 1972 -- Eashani Chavda * gal-dem *
A pioneer among Black female novelists . . . Emecheta writes with an appealingly jocular tone . . . In the Ditch remains politically pertinent as well as entertaining . . . its charm comes not only from its basis in fact, but also in its author’s skill for capturing the truest quirks of human character -- Ellen Peirson-Hagger * The Observer *
Buchi Emecheta was evidently extraordinarilygifted as well as extremely determined... Adah's story is told with empathy and humour. This is about survival in the face of almost insurmountableodds... In The Ditch is [also] a powerful critique of a stigmatisingsystem, rife with contradictions and replete with negative stereotypes about people who are so urgently in need of support -- Marjorie Mayo * The Morning Star *
ISBN: 9780241578124
Dimensions: 199mm x 131mm x 10mm
Weight: 126g
160 pages