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Black Ghosts

A Journey into the Lives of Africans in China

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About this listen

China today is a land of opportunity for African people blocked from commerce with most of Europe and Northern America. It is also an intersection of racism and prejudice.

Noo Saro-Wiwa goes in search of China’s ‘Black Ghosts’, African economic migrants in the People's Republic. Living in clustered communities, they are key to the trade between the continents. Her fascinating encounters include a cardiac surgeon, a drug dealer, a visa overstayer and men married to Chinese women who speak English with Nigerian accents. This is a story of intersecting cultures told with candour and compassion, focusing on the shared humanity between the sojourner and their hosts.

©2023 Noo Saro-Wiwa (P)2023 Canongate Books Emigration & Immigration Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary China Social justice Nepal Africa

Critic reviews

'A gripping examination of a little-known land: the one Africans occupy in China or, more accurately, in Guangdong. Who knew? Noo Saro-Wiwa has found a fine subject and covers it nimbly. This is a revealing book.' (SARA WHEELER)

'Black Ghosts is a marvellous yet unlikely book, travel with a theme, the revelation of modern China by investigating the underclass of African immigrants - highly trained doctors as well as rascals and rappers. Noo Saro-Wiwa is a brave and resourceful traveller-interrogator - outstanding in the so-called travel writing genre.' (PAUL THEROUX)
All stars
Most relevant
I first became aware of African communities in China some years ago. This entertaining, informative and and at times disturbing book has answered so many questions for me. I particularly appreciated the exposure to the different motivations and experiences of the individuals. The performance by the author was great as varying the accents and using some pidgin made it entertaining too.

Fascinating!

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It’s so well written and the spoken that you feel like a spectator standing or sitting with them and listening to their stories. Many different perspectives, insights but also general facts to put things in perspective, which it was longer. Hope we can get more similar books from the author.

Amazing stories and some many insights on Nigerians and China.

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