FAIRYTALES FOR LOST CHILDREN is narrated by people constantly on the
verge of self-revelation. These characters - young, gay and lesbian
Somalis - must navigate the complexities of family, identity and the
immigrant experience as they tumble towards freedom. Set in Kenya,
Somalia and South London, these stories are imbued with pathos,
passion and linguistic playfulness, marking the arrival of a singular
new voice in contemporary fiction.
Praise for FAIRYTALES FOR LOST CHILDREN:
'Fantastic writing. I am most highly impressed. I've read some of the
stories more than once and saw in each of them plenty of talent
everywhere - in every sinew and vein.'
- NURUDDIN FARAH
'There is nothing more humbling than good writing except when the
author is fiercely beautiful and ferociously generous of heart. That
Diriye Osman should possess so much talent is only fair in light of
his goodness. Read this book.'
- MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
-The characters in these fairy tales are displaced in multiple,
complicated ways. But Osman's storytelling creates a shelter for them;
a warm place which is both real and imaginary, in which they find
political, sexual, and ultimately psychic liberation.'
- ALISON BECHDEL
'East Africa. South London. Queer. Displaced. Mentally Ill. My
excitement over Osman and his writing comes, in part, out of delight
at the impossibility of categorisation.'
- ELLAH ALLFREY The Telegraph
