Manny and the Baby

by Varaidzo

London, 1936. Two sisters are ready to take the city and the world by storm.

Bath, 2012. Two young Black men are figuring out who they are, and who they want to become.

Manny Powell is forthright, intellectual, and determined to make her mark on the London literary scene. Her younger sister, Rita ‘The Baby’, just wants to dance. Chasing their dreams across smoky Soho jazz clubs, they soon find themselves part of the burgeoning Black ambition movement, and must learn how to navigate it as women. As tensions rise, and fascism and war snap at their heels, Rita finds herself drawn to the mysterious mimic and trumpeter, Ezekiel Brown, from Jamaica, and the trio are faced with choices that will alter their lives forever.

Itai has fled London to his late father’s flat in Bath. Listening to cassette tapes his father made, he realises there is a lot he doesn’t know about the man’s life — who is Rita? Why did his father record her life story? And might she hold the answers to Itai’s questions? Meanwhile, his developing friendship with Josh, a young athlete who moonlights as a dealer to fund his training, is on unsteady ground. As the country prepares for the 2012 Olympics, Josh is under increasing pressure from his bosses to find out just what the hell Itai is really doing in their city.

Manny and the Baby is a character-driven debut novel, full of heart, about what it means to be Black and British, now and in the past.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Race, Historical

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2024

Reviews

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books i've read all year, and 1) I really do be reading and 2) I really don't be saying things like this lightly. I was blown away by the skill of the writing and the gorgeous character detail. I finished it in two sittings. The author's style makes this book a pleasure to read + very very addictive. In particular, Varaidzo's keen, unflinching eye for the rich details that lie unspoken in the hinterlands between the characters' relationships had me locked in. It felt like the author had x-ray vision for the things we all feel, but could never say aloud to each other. The moments of intimacy between the two sisters + the relationships between the characters as a whole kept bringing me back to the book. The novel takes us giddily across the smoky jazz backrooms of 1930's London, to Bath during the 2016 Olympics, before hyper-zooming in and noticing the movement of a hand that means oh-so-much more. Really gorgeous work.

Despite the unsaid and the unspoken, one thing this book does show clearly is the continuous human need to reach past the expanses that divide us, trying desperately to cleave together against a context, a history, a colonial legacy, that tries it's best to rip us apart. The author uses the history of a family, to tell a larger story about Black British history, asking the reader where these characters fit into these great tapestries of time, who writes the histories, who is left out, and how accessible are these histories to those who need them. It is such a satisfying experience to read a story that feels so immediate and idiosyncratic, and to feel the author use that hyper-specificity to transcend into a universal story about love, loss and shared histories. A truly incredible, heartbreaking yet life-affirming debut. I loved this book.

[Jasmine Nicholson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was so much stronger than the rest of the book, I didn’t feel like I cared about the characters or felt any attachment to them really until the end but I really liked the last 60 pages and thought the ending page was really moving.

[Ranti · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars ⭐️

One of the best books I’ve read by a Black British author.

After reading the blurb, I was immediately intrigued by the premise of the novel and curious to see how the author would handle the multiple protagonists set across two time periods- the 1930s and 2010s.

Varaidzo crafts these characters in a way that lifts them off the page. The writing was so satisfying that I was torn between wanting to devour the book and savoring each sentence to make it last longer.

The beauty of the prose particularly shines through in the first four-fifths of the book, which is very character-driven. This contrasts with the more plot-driven narrative toward the end, where the character arcs unfortunately felt a bit rushed as they reached their conclusions.

I loved learning about 1930s Britain through the lens of Black creatives - how they formed close-knit communities and the significance of Soho as a hub for music, literature, and dance. It was evident that the novel is well-researched, adding depth to the historical setting.

Whether set in 2012 Bristol or 1930s London, the characters share a common pursuit: defining what it means to be Black and British, beyond the labels imposed on them.

I found myself much more invested in the narratives of Rita, Manny, and Ezequiel (set in the 1930s) than those of Josh and Itai (set in 2012). However, I did enjoy reading about Itai’s journey of reconnecting with his late father by listening to the tapes left by Rita and exploring other archives. These tapes revealed a part of British history that (unsurprisingly) doesn’t receive enough attention.

The novel covers a wide range of themes, including unrequited love, sisterhood, grief, ambition, and how secrets impact relationships. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in uncovering this relatively hidden part of British history, or more generally, to those seeking a rich, character-driven story.

[IssaHev · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not often I pick up a paper book since the adoption of the kindle as my preferred reading apparatus, but Varaidzo has this uncanny ability to take me to other worlds with her writing so I thought I owed it to her to take it back to basics and really delve into this story, her debut novel… and I’m so glad I did because what an experience it was.

I lived and breathed the characters. They are whole people, who you can feel in every sentence. The outfits, the atmosphere, the emotion in this story - magnificent. It is sometimes subtle, I will say that, but those that get it get it and I truly feel for those that don’t. (You would surely have to be missing a certain life experience to think this story is anything but ridiculously important.)

It is one of life’s many gifts to be around whilst this fantastically gifted and unforgettable writer lives among us. What a wonder it must be to live with a mind that can conjure such magic for the world to experience. I cannot wait to see what she embarks on next. I wish her an important, lasting career and resounding success in everything she strives for.

[Ella Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read would recommend. I grew extremely attached to the characters as the story developed and loved how the stories subtly intertwined while remaining separate enjoyable timelines in their own right.

Thank you to Scribe for sending me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[indiajchambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

special, well-researched, poetic prose. This should be on the MA in Black British Writing MA, it would fit right in.

[Matt Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

"Time is your assistant, not your adversary."

The cultural/intellectual scenes of the 1930s London's West End are vividly presented to the readers. I felt fully immersed with the glamour, glitz, frenzy, excitement, brusqueness of the underground clubs. The characters of Manny (Emmanuella), Baby (Rita) and Ezekiel are so well developed that I connected with them instantly - the frustration and struggle as black folks living in the 30s, the strong family & friendship bonds and love, the secrets that are difficult to mutter out loud. The movements of dance and music are written beautifully and naturally.

The book is intertwined with the stories of the trio in the 30s told on cassette tapes; and in Bath 2012, Itai tried to uncover the mysterious past left by his late father in Bath through these tapes. In his self-imposed exile to Bath from London while grieving for his ethnomusicologist father, he befriended a young athlete neighbour Josh.

Personally I found the backstory of Josh a bit clunky with the attempt of highlighting issues of gentrification, racism, working class culture. I simply didn't care much about Josh's friends and "trouble" with Dave. I appreciate the insights into the complexities and problems that the black British faced in the past and the contemporary.

[Bukola Akinyemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manny and The Baby
By Varaidzo

Oh my goodness! Varaidzo has written a heartwarming masterpiece.

Manny and The Baby follows two sisters who reconnect years after losing touch. And two young Black boys Itai and Josh. The sister’s parts are set in 1936 while the boy’s parts are set in 2012.

As we go back and forth from London to Bath, from 2012 to 1936, we learn about how these two generations deal with being Black in Britain.

This book deals with the themes of sisterhood, friendship, found families, Identity and belonging, music and the creative industry so well. It also deals with love and different types of relationships.

I love the narrative style of writing, it had me engaged right from the beginning and the end had me beaming long after I finished reading it.

Loved the characters, loved learning and remembering parts of history and absolutely loved how it was all put together.

[Joly Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Sometimes when books have stories over different timelines I tend to favour reading one.story over the other but I enjoyed both of these a lot. I think the strength of this book is in the characters, strong intruiging and also very likeable. Also a good commentary on existing racism in the UK! (mention commercial street riots which were awful and still seeing these sorts of riots in the modern day is sad). A great book all round!

[Syirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an achievement this book is. A map of how generational trauma intersects with colonialism, war, and cultural history. But written in such a personal way that it feels like someone is reading their own story to you. This book is where the personal meets the political. It gave me a picture of Black Britain's pre-war Soho that I never knew about, and it carries so much heart.

[Anwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. An amazing first novel for a writer to produce - thoroughly recommend it to everyone!

[Laura Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely lovely read. Surprised it has not received more attention.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book. The time settings, characters, music and dance. I found the book to be very engaging and atmospheric as if I was really there at times. I read this in two sittings I really couldn't put it down. I loved the writing and story with deep believable characters. I also liked the contrast flicking between pre war London and more present 2012 of the Olympics as a background setting - the contrast where the world is falling apart as opposed to all nations coming together. I also liked the characters background stories, of black history and how it often felt how they didn't belong anywhere and how home is sometimes about who you're with rather than where you are. I will be recommending and looking out for more from this author

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed this one very London and ‘young in the city’ coded, also beautiful writing
made me feel like I was in the 1930s
made me think about the cost of being young and having dreams/ idealism

[Lydia Omodara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Itai's father dies, he leaves his London home to his only child and, more intriguingly, another flat in Bath and a collection of cassette tapes. Eager to shed light on the parts of his father's life that he chose to keep hidden, Itai relocates to Bath and begins working his way through the tapes. Who is Rita, and why did Itai's father record her life story? When did he live in Bath, and with whom? Meanwhile, Josh, living in the same block of flats, half-heartedly sells weed while he dreams of Olympic glory. Both young men stand poised at a crucial juncture of their lives - can they help each to find the path they are supposed to be on?

The tapes transport Itai - and the reader - into a little-known chapter of British history. In 1936, London's Soho was an enclave of Black creatives: musicians, artists, dancers and writers, each of them longing to express themselves and have their talent recognised. Rita, the mysterious narrator of the tapes, recalls the story of how she made a name for herself dancing in nightclubs as a teenager, guided by her ebullient older sister and a talented Jamaican musician and impressionist called Ezekiel Brown. These sections of the novel so vividly capture the time and place in which they are set that it was jarring to return to the story's present day (2012), and, though I was sure that a connection between the two timelines and sets of characters would eventually emerge, I found Itai and Josh's stories far less captivating than Rita's. I could see what author Varaidzo was going for in juxtaposing the very different experiences of being Black and British in different eras - and it's possible that I just related more to Rita's perspective as a woman - but I was always disappointed to leave Soho and return to Bath in 2012.

The first half of the novel is very character-driven, establishing our protagonists and the various people in their respective orbits as well as building the worlds they inhabit. Later on, Varaidzo picks up the pace along with the two narrative threads, leading the reader to a series of shocking, bittersweet revelations at the end. I had ideas of how the stories were going to intertwine, but the plot devolved from what might seem the most obvious trajectory in ways that were both satisfying and sad.

There's lots to unpack in both timelines about race, class and gender, and how the social norms of a time, place and culture dictate the paths we do or do not take. The story of Rita's connection to Itai's father, which he never shared while he was alive, can be seen as symbolic for all the untold histories of Black Britons. Like Itai, it is up to us to tell their stories and amplify their voices, and I applaud Varaidzo for doing so.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribe UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dazzling debut from Varaidzo, an exquisite exploration of what it is to be black in the past and in more contemporary times, an astutely erudite outpouring thrumming with vibrancy, warmth, passion, heart, and tenderness, that illuminates the complexity and lives of the characters divided by time, yet the connections emerge, with so much remaining constant. A grieving and unsettled Londoner, Itai, has lost his father, an ethnomusicology scholar, shocked when he learns he has inherited a home in Bath, what possible link could his father have with this city? There he comes across tapes that open up and inform him of the life of his father, a past and a family history he knew nothing of.

We are immersed in the lives of a smart, determined Manny, and her younger 16 year old sister, Rita, aka Baby, chasing their dreams of writing and dancing in the 1930s with energy and verve, hoping to overcome the prevailing limitations of race and gender, wanting so much more than was on offer. We travel with them, the developments in their personal lives, hand in hand with that of the charismatic trumpeter and mimic, Ezekial Brown. Incorporated throughout are the events of the period, the culture, arts, music, literary circles, exuberant political discussions, creative hustling, sweaty dancing, vaudeville acts, salacious, smoky Soho jazz clubs and the chaos of swapped identities. Hanging over the trio with their painful impact are the police raids, the growing fascism and the threat of war, and a Ethiopian King, Selassie, moves to Bath, all bringing with them the tides of change that follow, grief and losses, one after another, the secrets between them, the promised land slipping further away.

The author shows how good intentions can exacerbate situations, and the cyclical nature of history as Itai retraces the same steps, recalibrating and forging a stronger understanding of his late father as he learns of his missing past, simultaneously establishing a fortuitous relationship with a young Josh. This is an extraordinary debut read that captivates and engages, beautifully written, with its memorable characters and their relationships, legacies, of how times change and yet nothing changes. Simply fabulous! This will appeal to a wide range of readers, particularly those fascinated by black lives and history. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Katy Chessum-Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this novel and usually quite enjoy a back-and-forth in time narrative, however this one fell a bit flat for me. I really liked the contemporary storyline with Itai discovering more about his father's past and building a friendship with Josh, the young athlete hoping to make it into the 2016 Olympics. I found it harder to keep track of Rita's (The Baby) story, which starts in 1930s Soho and takes her to Bath. I think that's because the two narratives felt contemporary, I didn't get the sense of being 'placed' in the past, which I found meant I wasn't connected to her, Manny or Ezekiel.

I had requested the ARC because it is partly set in Bath, which is one of my favourite places to visit at any time of the year. I didn't get anything that connected me to the city, there are a few mentions of the Royal Crescent and the Roman Baths but the backdrop to the storyline could have been anywhere. I wonder whether I could have got more from a narrative that gave the story's perspective from all the characters (particularly Ezekiel) rather than just Rita, Itai and Josh.

It was an enjoyable read but I think it was trying to cover a bit too much and ended up being a bit thin in places.

Thanks to Netgalley and Scribe for the ARC.

[Perry Milkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great debut novel weaving two stories into one.

The first story is set between the first and second world wars and tells the story of Manny, an intelligent and gifted writer trying to make her name in London. However, there are two problems. She is a woman and she’s black, so trying to be taken seriously is a struggle.

Her sister Baby is trying to become a dancer. Both are orphans thrown together along with several other characters chasing their dreams across the smoky Soho jazz clubs and they soon find themselves part of the Black ambition movement.

With tensions rising, fascism ever present and war looming, both are faced with choices that will change their lives forever.

Roll on to pre-2012 and Itai’s Father has died leaving him some tapes and a property in Bath which he didn’t know existed. What do the tapes mean? What’s the story behind them? And why did his Dad leave them to Itai?

Itai sets off on a journey of discovery to find his background and who is.

A brilliant story of trying to fit in, be accepted, accepting yourself as you are and a journey of discovery.

A great read!

[Amina (aminasbookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is extremely hard to summarise and I worry some people will be put off by the confusing blurb. Let’s be honest, finding tapes or letters from the past is a well-worn trope so it can be difficult to execute. However, I beg people to give this book a go.

The plot feels cohesive, despite the disjointed summary, and though I guessed how it all came together, I relished watching the pieces fall into place.

You know it’s a good book when you underline sentences and the line-writing had me searching for a pencil. Therefore, it’s a solid four stars and I’d read this author’s next novel.

Thank you to Scribe for a #gifted advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read my full review on my blog
aminasbookshelf.com and check out IG/Tiktok @aminasbookshelf
for more book reviews and recommendations

[Sachi · Rating 2 out of 5]

really stuck at this one because multiple reviews said the last 100 pages were compelling. I did like the ending, but personally this didn’t make up for the first 3/4 of the book. ‘Protagonist finds old records/tapes/diaries/whatever from their families past’ is a serviceable but well worn trope. I also found that the intertwined narrative with the flash back flash forward structure brought nothing to my life personally.

I enjoyed the historical elements and I liked how Varaidzo constructed the jazz scenes without becoming too prosey. As with many books written in this format, I was far more interested in the flash back chapters rather than the present day. I wish I cared more about these characters!! There were so many elements to this book that should have been interesting which is what confused me.

When I read the blurb, it was difficult for me to ascertain what this book was about. That is also what it felt like to read this book.

[Celia Bergin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently in my historical fiction reading bag at the moment. The world in which these characters existed across time were so well built and as they converged didn’t feel hamfisted or forced. A really well written, interesting tale of Black life in pre-war and 2010s London and Bath with the 2012 era so well written I could feel myself back there. I loved the exploration of identity, relationships, sexuality and coming of age throughout the book in refreshing new way. Although I didn’t initially loved the 3 person narrative perspective with lots of side characters, it grew on me with time. Although I could kind of tell where things would go towards the end bits still really knocked me over emotionally, so I think that’s a sign of how good it was.

And I’m going to be carrying the words from the acknowledgements with me for a long time - ‘time your assistant, not your adversary.’

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get into this, but after about 100 pages or so I was invested in the outcomes, in particular loved the last 60 pages when the story and connections come together!!

Spanning two timelines in 1930s London and Bath in 2012, we follow a story of belonging, finding your way, love, loss and shared histories.
I really enjoyed the 1930s timeline, you could really envision the music and dance scene of Soho and black artists at the time trying to find their way. You can feel their struggle, love in the relationships and bonds they form, and the secrets each of them holds.

Such a gorgeous way of telling a larger story of Black British history, amongst the backdrop of unrest where a colonial past tried to tear us apart.

[Ben Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Varaidzo's debut novel, Manny and the Baby, is a fascinating, beautiful thing. There are layers of story here - Itai and Josh in contemporary Bath, and 1930s jazz-age London, whose story is told through tapes Itai's father made before he passed which tell the story of Rita "The Baby" and Manny.

It is an engrossing tale, evocative, and superbly written. She recreates the smoky clubs of London brilliantly; I could hear the jazz. I had to check if really was a debut. I will certainly be keeping my eye out for what Varaidzo does next.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody should be talking about this book!

Manny and the Baby is an incredible feat of writing. Feels like a modern classic. It's a beautiful tale of found family and the complexities of interpersonal relationships and the choices we make set against a meticulously researched historical backdrop.

It's so well-written at times I genuinely couldn't believe how good it was. That feels a silly thing to say because I read so many excellent books but this really is something special.

[Daisy Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked instantly as Itai’s storyline with his dad’s tapes felt so relatable to me: I was also left with a laundry bag packed full of tapes when my dad died and I went through every one of them.
I also loved the descriptions of Rita dancing on the stage. Again, very relatable to me.
I was heavily invested in the characters and enjoyed how it all played out in the end.
Recommended for those who enjoy Historical fiction, particularly during the WW2 era.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book. It was a story within a story. Coming of age. Secrets.
It dealt with a number of issues from loss and how it can leave you until your mind can deal with it. And family issues and generational histories.
I prefer Rita's story, but liked the way the book was set. I found myself reading it really slowly because I did not want to miss a word.

[Abazz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good! I didn’t finish with my mouth agape and heart moved but it was written well and I enjoyed reading about the uk Jazz scene.

And it’s nice to have some representation of track and field athletes in a book it is very rare !

The blurb was also vastly different from the book so I was pleasantly surprised

[Kyra Leyland · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - really enjoyable right until the end and had good stories, but personally didn’t think it succeeded in plausibly pulling all the threads together for the finale (which would have made it a 4!). I enjoyed the themes of chosen family and resistance against an interwar backdrop, with intetesting characters and relationships.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this but I didn't love it. I love historical fiction and different timelines but this felt quite disjointed.

There were some parts I really liked, and I liked the complex characters of the 1930's folk. overall 3.5 stars.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

Halfway through this, I didn't really have any strong feelings towards either the story or the characters.

But the last 50/60 pages had me in the feels. The plot twist was so sad and really caught me off guard.