Black Mamba Boy

Nadifa Mohamed was born in Hargeisa in 1981 while Somalia was falling deeper into dictatorship. In 1986 she moved to London with her family in what she thought was a temporary move but a couple of years later it became permanent as war broke out in Somalia. She was educated in London and went to Oxford to study History and Politics and she finally returned to Hargeisa, now in the new Republic of Somaliland, in 2008. She lives in London and is currently working on her third novel.

'Mixing startling lyricism and sheer brutality, Mohamed plunges into the chattering, viscous heat and 'hyena darkness' of Aden...this is a significant, affecting book' Guardian

'The most exciting, original new fiction is coming out of Africa. Nadifa Mohamed has produced a first novel of elegance and beauty...Watch out for this one during prize season; it's a stunning debut' The Times

'Just as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun drew out the little documented dramas of the Biafran war, Mohamed describes an East Africa under Mussolini's rule...such an accomplished first novel' Independent

'Loved Black Mamba Boy. Utterly compelling, an assured debut. An incredible insight into a slice of recent African history that is so rarely given light'
Alex Wheatle, award-winning author of East of Acre Lane and Brixton Rock

Amazon Vine reviews:

'A great read, colourful and powerful'

'One of the most wonderful things I have ever read...I was held spellbound by this book'

'Rich description and a fascinating story'

'Nadifa Mohamed's writing is emotional and evocative and as well as lyrical landscape descriptions or relationship revelations she does not flinch from the harrowing reality of a cruelly chaotic part of the world. This is a 5-star book deserving similar acclaim and success to "The Kite Runner"'