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My Name Is Why

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My Name Is Why

By: Lemn Sissay
Narrated by: Lemn Sissay, Richard Burnip, Zoe Mills
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About this listen

At the age of 17, after a childhood in an fostered family followed by six years in care homes, Norman Greenwood was given his birth certificate. He learned that his real name was not Norman. It was Lemn Sissay. He was British and Ethiopian. And he learned that his mother had been pleading for his safe return to her since his birth.

Here Sissay recounts his life story. It is a story of neglect and determination. Misfortune and hope. Cruelty and triumph.

Sissay reflects on a childhood in care, self-expression and Britishness, and in doing so explores the institutional care system, race, family and the meaning of home. Written with all the lyricism and power you would expect from one of the nation's best-loved poets, this moving, frank and timely memoir is the result of a life spent asking questions, and a celebration of the redemptive power of creativity.

©2019 Lemn Sissay (P)2019 Canongate Books Ltd Black Creators Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant
What strength of character does this man show! Though this is a very upsetting ‘history ‘ I hope its’ author has found some peace and love in this world x Lemn you are a credit to yourself - and to the woman who gave you life x

Makes me SO ANGRY

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A remarkable story of perseverance and the power of finding strength in numbers in the face of personal, systemic and institutional racism. Shame on all those who robbed him of his human rights, his dignity, and tried to silence his voice. He retained agency.

Triumph over tragedy

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I loved this memoir. A few things came to mind throughout, Lemn Sissay was a small boy who should never have been put in the places he found himself in. He is my generation and while I went back from the Blackpool theatre with my dad, he went back to a children’s home and that felt very sad and very wrong. You have to remind yourself throughout that terrible decisions were made and that he was not a criminal (as you will suspect that Wood End is a prison and not the ‘care’ home it was supposed to be) but a young boy that had no say or control over his own life. I just wanted to hug the little boy, to jump in the story and take him from those people. The inspiring part comes from what Lemn Sissay has ultimately achieved, but not all children from the care system will be able to do that which makes his story and the telling of it is so important. It is also important that we listen.

An incredibly moving memoir.

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Listening to Lemn recount his memories of his lived experience of the care system is something that I will never forget.

The consistent failure of individuals and the system to meet Lemn's basic needs is unforgivable. Despite this consistent lack of care and, at times abusive treatment from people whose role was to protect him, Lemn has triumphed. The impact of the unnecessary harm that he has experienced should not be underestimated however.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It should be read by every person working with children who are unable to live with their birth parents and anyone who wants to understand what life is like for children whose needs are not prioritised by adults around them.

Thank you for this book Lemn - your voice deserved to be heard. Your life story is a lesson for us all.

An incredibly moving life story

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Brilliant book, a bit of history recorded but not sensationalised.
I want to read Lemin Sissays poetry now.

Honest insight into a system that failed

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