Aquarian Dawn
- Subject
- Historical - United States - 20th Century
- Age
- Teen
- Format
- Trade Paperback
- Pages
- 295
- Publisher
- Three Rooms Press
- Size
- 14.0 cm × 20.8 cm
- ISBN
- 9781953103253
Winner, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year: Young Adult Fiction!
In Nigeria-born, America-based author Ebele Chizea’s stunning debut novel, teenager Ada and her mother flee the civil war of their West African home and come to America in 1966, where Ada soon discovers—and blossoms within—the US counterculture movement, developing a drive for anti-war activism which she takes with her back to Nabuka only to uncover new truths about herself as well as family secrets that threaten to shatter her plans for the future.
While protesting the Vietnam war in America, Ada forges friendships with other nonconformist youth: free-spirited Stacey, a boisterous hippie, and Sal, a philosophical wanderlust. Soon she seeks independence from her mother, love on her own terms, as well as sexual autonomy. College provides Ada with opportunities for academic success, personal experimentation, and full independence, as well as heartbreak. Despite loss and grief over a decade, Ada’s heart becomes her own true compass and guides her to fully become the leader and activist she’d always been deep inside.
Chizea's brilliant prose and storytelling skills are fully apparent as she reveals a young woman's struggle to find balance in her life and in herself while straddling physical and social borders of two distinctly different cultures.
Data provided by BiblioShare.
What reviewers said
“A must read for those who are nostalgic for the time period of the 1960s and 70s and the music, vibes, colors, and history of Civil Rights activism. If you’re a fan of African narratives of immigration during this fascinating period in history, then Aquarian Dawn needs to be added to your . . . cart ASAP!”
“This character-driven volume tackles themes such as abandonment, belonging, loss, and racism via a complexly written protagonist whose charismatic personality invests readers from the very first page.”
“Chizea offers YA fiction a provocative maturity and thoughtful nuance that reads like Zadie Smith or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie but nonetheless provides an undoubted and necessary perspective specifically for young audiences.”
“Fusing war, politics, love, and confusion in a touching exploration of young womanhood on the brink of national changes, Aquarian Dawn is a memorable novel.”
“Ada’s story, every twist and turn, is worth the trip.”
“As soon as one starts reading Aquarian Dawn you are captivated by Ebele's powerful use of language and literary skills and descriptive language. This book is a gem in so many ways as not only is the storyline and Ada, the protagonist, so captivating but the illustrative language is so engaging! A must read!”
