Other Names, Places

"What were we, then, if 'English' was a prize out of our reach and 'Tunisian' was the mask we wore at home?" Caught between cultures and struggling to find her identity, Nessie, a Londoner with Tunisian roots, navigates the complexities of belonging. With her multiple name - Nesrine, Susu, Nessie - and a yearning for acceptance, she grapples with not being "enough" for anyone. But when Mrs Brown enters their lives, her charismatic presence becomes the glue holding their dysfunctional family together - until a catastrophic betrayal tears them apart. Now, years later, Nessie seeks independence but finds herself trapped in self-destructive patterns. As unsolved family mysteries resurface, she begins to wonder: what really happened between her parents and Mrs Brown? Perfect for fans of NoViolet Bulawayo's "We Need New Names".