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My Fathers' Daughter

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My Fathers' Daughter

By: Hannah Azieb Pool, Bernardine Evaristo - introduction
Narrated by: Yusra Warsama, Bernardine Evaristo
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A powerful, intimate memoir of Eritrean-British journalist, Hannah Azieb-Pool, who returns to Eritrea at the age of 30 to meet her family for the first time


'When I stepped off the plane in Asmara, I had no idea what lay ahead, or how those events would change me . . .'
In her twenties, Hannah-Azieb Pool is given a letter that unravels everything she knows about her life. She knew she was adopted from an orphanage in Eritrea, and as her adoptive family brought her to the UK, they believed she did not have any surviving relatives.

When she discovers the truth in a letter from her brother - that her birth father is alive and her Eritrean family are desperate to meet her - she is faced with a critical choice.

Should she go?

In this intimate memoir, she takes us with her on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, as she travels to Eritrea to uncover her own story. With radiant warmth, courage and wisdom, Hannah-Azieb disentangles the charged concepts of identity, family and home. Featuring a new introduction from Bernardine Evaristo and an updated afterword from the author, this is a timeless, essential read.

'Remarkable' Observer

'What a story. So vivid, honest and moving' Andrea Levy, author of Small Island

Selected by Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, this series rediscovers and celebrates pioneering books from black Britain and the diaspora, which remap the nation and reframe our history.

© Hannah Azieb 2005 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Emigration & Immigration Parenting & Families Relationships Social Sciences Adoption

Critic reviews

Her story is as much about an adopted child facing up to the challenge of tracing her biological family as it is about her search for African roots . . . Pool's candour is striking . . . [She gives] a sense of what it is like to be a young person of African descent who is unquestionably British
The sentiment is never pity... rather awe - at the depth of Hannah's experience, her courage in confronting it and her sucess in making sense of it all
Groundbreaking . . . Displaying a deft touch in warm prose . . . Pool’s personal journey encourages shift, transformation, and a commitment to ongoing survival
What a story. So vivid, honest and moving (Andrea Levy, author of Small Island)
In this beautifully honest book, Pool gives us a front-row view of how identity is built up, but also how it's dismantled . . . Simply engrossing
All stars
Most relevant
A personsal journey that educates, enlightens and touches your heart. Whether adopted or not, there are relatable parts to most of us....unless there is a lack of depth in one's life..... even a person of 'white' skin as so many of us have dealt with different kinds of prejudice, pain and rejection. Thank you for sharing you!

Beautiful and from the heart....

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In this beautifully written and vulnerable memoir, Hannah-Azieb Pool shares her journey to finding her birth family in Eritrea. Yusra Warsama reads the memoir with emotion, that you feel like you're in an intimate conversation with the author herself. Highly recommend.

Incredibly moving memoir

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