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The Attic Child: A powerful and heartfelt historical novel, shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards
Longlisted for the Jhalak Prize 2023.
Two children trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, bound by a secret.
1907: Twelve-year-old Celestine spends most of his time locked in an attic room of a large house by the sea. Taken from his homeland and treated as an unpaid servant, he dreams of his family in Africa even if, as the years pass, he struggles to remember his mother’s face, and sometimes his real name . . .
Decades later, Lowra, a young orphan girl born into wealth and privilege, will find herself banished to the same attic. Lying under the floorboards of the room is an old porcelain doll, an unusual beaded claw necklace and, most curiously, a sentence etched on the wall behind an old cupboard, written in an unidentifiable language. Artefacts that will offer her a strange kind of comfort, and lead her to believe that she was not the first child to be imprisoned there . . .
Lola Jaye has created a hauntingly powerful, emotionally charged and unique dual-narrative novel about family secrets, love and loss, identity and belonging, seen through the lens of Black British History in The Attic Child.
'An incredibly important book . . . a beautifully crafted, compelling story . . . which will undoubtedly break your heart but also make it sing.' - Mike Gayle
'This is important storytelling about issues of race and privilege . . .that will stay with me for a long time.' - Tracy Chevalier
'Just brilliant.' - Dorothy Koomson
'Powerful and emotional' - Lisa Jewell
Two children trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, bound by a secret.
1907: Twelve-year-old Celestine spends most of his time locked in an attic room of a large house by the sea. Taken from his homeland and treated as an unpaid servant, he dreams of his family in Africa even if, as the years pass, he struggles to remember his mother’s face, and sometimes his real name . . .
Decades later, Lowra, a young orphan girl born into wealth and privilege, will find herself banished to the same attic. Lying under the floorboards of the room is an old porcelain doll, an unusual beaded claw necklace and, most curiously, a sentence etched on the wall behind an old cupboard, written in an unidentifiable language. Artefacts that will offer her a strange kind of comfort, and lead her to believe that she was not the first child to be imprisoned there . . .
Lola Jaye has created a hauntingly powerful, emotionally charged and unique dual-narrative novel about family secrets, love and loss, identity and belonging, seen through the lens of Black British History in The Attic Child.
'An incredibly important book . . . a beautifully crafted, compelling story . . . which will undoubtedly break your heart but also make it sing.' - Mike Gayle
'This is important storytelling about issues of race and privilege . . .that will stay with me for a long time.' - Tracy Chevalier
'Just brilliant.' - Dorothy Koomson
'Powerful and emotional' - Lisa Jewell
Audible Audio
First published April 28, 2022
608 people are currently reading
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About the author
Lola Jaye
12 books452 followersLola Jaye is an author, registered psychotherapist and speaker who has penned six novels and a self-help book.
She was born and raised in London, England and has lived in Nigeria and the United States. She currently works as a psychotherapist. She has written for, CNN, HuffPost, Essence and the BBC and also speaks on issues of mental health and racism. She has also appeared on national television, most recently discussing Covid 19 and mental wellbeing. Lola once gave a presentation on imposter syndrome – a subject close to her heart, because at times she’s unable to believe she’s an actual writer!
The Attic Child (Macmillan) is her first epic historical novel.
Find out more about Lola and what she’s been up to by visiting her website; www.lolajaye.com, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.
She was born and raised in London, England and has lived in Nigeria and the United States. She currently works as a psychotherapist. She has written for, CNN, HuffPost, Essence and the BBC and also speaks on issues of mental health and racism. She has also appeared on national television, most recently discussing Covid 19 and mental wellbeing. Lola once gave a presentation on imposter syndrome – a subject close to her heart, because at times she’s unable to believe she’s an actual writer!
The Attic Child (Macmillan) is her first epic historical novel.
Find out more about Lola and what she’s been up to by visiting her website; www.lolajaye.com, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,208 reviews
December 4, 2022
“Although my story started a certain way, it ended with love.”
What! A! Journey!!!!
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I’ll always be jealous of authors who can use words to captivate you in ways you never imagined! This one has been immediately added to my favorite books of 2022 for how amazing it was!
The story’s premise is that these two people, Lowra and Dikembe (Celestine), are connected because of a time in their lives when they were locked in an attic. For most of the story, I was definitely more engrossed in Dikembe’s story as even though I felt sorry for Lowra, I found Dikemebe’s story more in line with what I was looking for in historical fiction.
Dikembe’s story was truly heartbreaking, yet so inspirational. When someone goes through what he went through, we expect them to come out of it being a certain kind of person. Dikembe however came out of his dark times with a goal to uplift other black people around him! Of course, Jaye still allowed us to see how such things affected him: mainly his inability to open up. Scenes that exposed this had me shedding tears because Jaye refused to hold anything back. Looking at the big picture, Dikembe’s life was used to tell the dark history of colonialism and racism, which is more clear when learning about the inspiration for the story. Learning about this history is never easy, as Monty, one of the characters illustrated as he expresses many times the pain in researching this area of history.
I will be honest in saying that I thought I might end up finding this book boring because at first it just felt like regular storytelling. When it started to get a mystery vibe and I started to infer the themes embedded in this book including what it means to win in life and reclaim one's identity, my attention was undoubtedly bought. Jaye even managed to chip in a really beautiful romance.
I would highly recommend!!
What! A! Journey!!!!
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I’ll always be jealous of authors who can use words to captivate you in ways you never imagined! This one has been immediately added to my favorite books of 2022 for how amazing it was!
The story’s premise is that these two people, Lowra and Dikembe (Celestine), are connected because of a time in their lives when they were locked in an attic. For most of the story, I was definitely more engrossed in Dikembe’s story as even though I felt sorry for Lowra, I found Dikemebe’s story more in line with what I was looking for in historical fiction.
Dikembe’s story was truly heartbreaking, yet so inspirational. When someone goes through what he went through, we expect them to come out of it being a certain kind of person. Dikembe however came out of his dark times with a goal to uplift other black people around him! Of course, Jaye still allowed us to see how such things affected him: mainly his inability to open up. Scenes that exposed this had me shedding tears because Jaye refused to hold anything back. Looking at the big picture, Dikembe’s life was used to tell the dark history of colonialism and racism, which is more clear when learning about the inspiration for the story. Learning about this history is never easy, as Monty, one of the characters illustrated as he expresses many times the pain in researching this area of history.
I will be honest in saying that I thought I might end up finding this book boring because at first it just felt like regular storytelling. When it started to get a mystery vibe and I started to infer the themes embedded in this book including what it means to win in life and reclaim one's identity, my attention was undoubtedly bought. Jaye even managed to chip in a really beautiful romance.
I would highly recommend!!
March 18, 2024
In a Nutshell: A dual timeline historical fiction covering the shared trauma of two children in an attic, separated by almost a century. Compelling plot, excellent writing, powerful themes and research. Definitely recommended. (Just in case you thought this is a slave narrative, it is not so. Rather, not a typical one anyway.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
🤩 The stress on this quote by Chinua Achebe: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” Heck, yeah!
🤩 This is not a typical slave narrative, as I had mistakenly assumed because of the cover. The difference lies not just in the country (usual slave narratives are based in the US) but also in the circumstances (Dikembe’s experiences are in a city, not a plantation, AND his initial days in England aren’t the kind we typically see in such fiction) and also in the later trajectory (Dikembe’s story goes much beyond his days as an unpaid labourer.) I always love historical fiction books that cover an angle not often taken and end up raising a lot of thoughts in my head.
🤩 Dikembe is one heck of a character. I don’t want to go into spoilers, but suffice it to say, I learnt a lot from his arc.
🤩 Lowra’s timeline is also strong, though not as impactful as Dikembe’s, for obvious reasons. Her sad situation in childhood, her ignorance of her privilege, her quest to learn more about the artefacts she discovered – all make her arc an interesting one. Plus, she is a realistic character – a bit awkward and a loner because of her childhood trauma. She isn’t easy to warm towards, but she performs her role well.
🤩 The story covers plenty of thought-provoking themes, including family secrets, intergenerational trauma, child abuse, alternative perspectives of captivity, feminism, racial discrimination, bigotry, and colonialism. The author handles most of them deftly. Just a couple of the themes feel a bit heavyhanded, but they are still relevant to the core storyline and hence not an issue.
🤩 The book includes several historical snippets of the Congo, which add depth to Dikembe’s arc.
🤩 Lowra’s timeline includes an interesting Black historian named Monty, whose backstory enhances the punch created by the core plot. Most of their arc doesn’t build towards a romance, which is always a plus in my book.
🤩 I was way more invested in Dikembe’s arc, but as Lowra’s timeline focussed mostly on finding out what happened to ‘Celestine’, the two timelines kept me equally invested.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Seeing a good part of this story from a child's perspective makes the experience more poignant. Dikembe’s blissful ignorance of what's to come and his innocence that was soon shattered act as a bittersweet filter of the harsh truth. Lowra’s younger years , in comparison, feel somewhat glossed over. Though we get to see her trauma too in bits and pieces, the why’s of her abuse don’t come out convincingly. Her backstory should have been better sketched, especially as it was the foundation to the whole plot. In fact, even in Dikembe’s arc, the negative female character felt too stereotypical, except in one scene where she seems to break character, because of which that scene didn’t really make sense to me.
😐 The final few chapters seem a bit dragged, and a tad overdramatic. These could have been edited a bit tighter. The rest of the book goes by steadily.
Bookish Nays:
😒 I wasn’t satisfied with the ‘connection” between the two characters – it was too farfetched and felt forced.
All in all, I did enjoy this story a lot. Despite some areas in which it could have worked better, I was still invested throughout the proceedings. It reminded me of why I love historical fiction so much, and that’s the best compliment I can pay to the book.
Definitely recommended to all historical fiction lovers. Do note that some of the content is extremely triggering.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Attic Child”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
1907. Twelve-year-old Dikembe assumes that he is being sent by his mother along with the white man named Sir Richard Babbington for a month-long educational trip to England. Little does he know that he is to be renamed Celestine, and because of a change in circumstances, he will soon become an unpaid servant. Locked in the attic when he is not working, Celestine can only dream about his family while wondering how he can return to them.
1970s. Lowra, a young orphan whose familial wealth and privilege doesn’t save her from being banished to the same attic, discovers an old porcelain doll and a bone necklace under the floorboards, and an illegible sentence scribbled behind an old cupboard. These give her solace, letting her know that there was another child in the attic, probably many years before.
What does the future hold in store for these two attic children? Are their lives connected in any way beyond the attic?
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Dikembe (as Celestine) and Lowra.
Bookish Yays:
🤩 The stress on this quote by Chinua Achebe: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” Heck, yeah!
🤩 This is not a typical slave narrative, as I had mistakenly assumed because of the cover. The difference lies not just in the country (usual slave narratives are based in the US) but also in the circumstances (Dikembe’s experiences are in a city, not a plantation, AND his initial days in England aren’t the kind we typically see in such fiction) and also in the later trajectory (Dikembe’s story goes much beyond his days as an unpaid labourer.) I always love historical fiction books that cover an angle not often taken and end up raising a lot of thoughts in my head.
🤩 Dikembe is one heck of a character. I don’t want to go into spoilers, but suffice it to say, I learnt a lot from his arc.
🤩 Lowra’s timeline is also strong, though not as impactful as Dikembe’s, for obvious reasons. Her sad situation in childhood, her ignorance of her privilege, her quest to learn more about the artefacts she discovered – all make her arc an interesting one. Plus, she is a realistic character – a bit awkward and a loner because of her childhood trauma. She isn’t easy to warm towards, but she performs her role well.
🤩 The story covers plenty of thought-provoking themes, including family secrets, intergenerational trauma, child abuse, alternative perspectives of captivity, feminism, racial discrimination, bigotry, and colonialism. The author handles most of them deftly. Just a couple of the themes feel a bit heavyhanded, but they are still relevant to the core storyline and hence not an issue.
🤩 The book includes several historical snippets of the Congo, which add depth to Dikembe’s arc.
🤩 Lowra’s timeline includes an interesting Black historian named Monty, whose backstory enhances the punch created by the core plot. Most of their arc doesn’t build towards a romance, which is always a plus in my book.
🤩 I was way more invested in Dikembe’s arc, but as Lowra’s timeline focussed mostly on finding out what happened to ‘Celestine’, the two timelines kept me equally invested.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Seeing a good part of this story from a child's perspective makes the experience more poignant. Dikembe’s blissful ignorance of what's to come and his innocence that was soon shattered act as a bittersweet filter of the harsh truth. Lowra’s younger years , in comparison, feel somewhat glossed over. Though we get to see her trauma too in bits and pieces, the why’s of her abuse don’t come out convincingly. Her backstory should have been better sketched, especially as it was the foundation to the whole plot. In fact, even in Dikembe’s arc, the negative female character felt too stereotypical, except in one scene where she seems to break character, because of which that scene didn’t really make sense to me.
😐 The final few chapters seem a bit dragged, and a tad overdramatic. These could have been edited a bit tighter. The rest of the book goes by steadily.
Bookish Nays:
😒 I wasn’t satisfied with the ‘connection” between the two characters – it was too farfetched and felt forced.
All in all, I did enjoy this story a lot. Despite some areas in which it could have worked better, I was still invested throughout the proceedings. It reminded me of why I love historical fiction so much, and that’s the best compliment I can pay to the book.
Definitely recommended to all historical fiction lovers. Do note that some of the content is extremely triggering.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Attic Child”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
July 4, 2024
5/5 ⭐️ x ♾️ Wow. This was such a powerful and moving story about a young boy named Dikembe, who was sent away from his native land, and thrust into a completely different way of life in the early 1900s England.
This book immediately drew me in from the very first page. We get the POV of young Dikembe in the 1900s and the POV of Lowra, taking place in the 1990s. It was interesting discovering how their stories were connected.
I felt so attached and connected to Dikembe. I cried so much for his longing to go home and see his mama. I related to him so much in that regard 😔. This aspect of the story just hit me in the deepest part of my soul since I’ve had that same longing when my mom and I were separated. I was living in DR while she was in the states from ages 4-8 and I can clearly remember yearning for her presence the same way Dikembe did.
My heart broke for all of what he had to endure. I just wanted to shield him from all of the racism, abuse, and discrimination that he faced 😔. I also felt really bad for Lowra and her upbringing as well. They both deserved so much better. I wanted to strangle that vile woman Agatha. I never hated a character more!
This was such a heartbreaking story and I literally want to recommend this book to everyone. It has become one of my favorite books of all time! ❤️🥹
“Two children separated by almost a century, bound by a secret.”
”I lived in this house full of wealth yet did not have the personal means to change my own destiny. I was at the mercy of a situation I both enjoyed and despised, all at the same time.” 💔
”The day my mama had kissed me goodbye on the shores of my birth land and all that followed would never, ever be in vain. I would continue to be all my mama had wanted for me, while in some small way also making my father proud.”
This book immediately drew me in from the very first page. We get the POV of young Dikembe in the 1900s and the POV of Lowra, taking place in the 1990s. It was interesting discovering how their stories were connected.
I felt so attached and connected to Dikembe. I cried so much for his longing to go home and see his mama. I related to him so much in that regard 😔. This aspect of the story just hit me in the deepest part of my soul since I’ve had that same longing when my mom and I were separated. I was living in DR while she was in the states from ages 4-8 and I can clearly remember yearning for her presence the same way Dikembe did.
My heart broke for all of what he had to endure. I just wanted to shield him from all of the racism, abuse, and discrimination that he faced 😔. I also felt really bad for Lowra and her upbringing as well. They both deserved so much better. I wanted to strangle that vile woman Agatha. I never hated a character more!
This was such a heartbreaking story and I literally want to recommend this book to everyone. It has become one of my favorite books of all time! ❤️🥹
“Two children separated by almost a century, bound by a secret.”
”I lived in this house full of wealth yet did not have the personal means to change my own destiny. I was at the mercy of a situation I both enjoyed and despised, all at the same time.” 💔
”The day my mama had kissed me goodbye on the shores of my birth land and all that followed would never, ever be in vain. I would continue to be all my mama had wanted for me, while in some small way also making my father proud.”
June 5, 2022
There are many silent people out there, through choice, through historical events or through fear.
Abuse, racism, identity and displacement, it’s here, right here within these pages.
Dikembe, his story was so sad.
So was Lowly.
Each 90 years apart. Each within the confines of the attic.
This is told in interment chapters.
Dikembe, a man thought to buy him as a pony.
I’m nearly 64 and in school this sort of thing was taught in history class, yes, the slaves, the treatment that the White people used these humans for, despicable.
It’s history.
Learn from it.
I never understood it and I don’t now!
In this book, who has the right to be virtuous, controlling, superior and treat others who they feel are no consequences?
Lowly.
90 years later.
Had things changed?
He was the next child in the same attic.
Why are they connected?
Does Lowly know about the last child in the attic?
Does he know what happened to him?
What will happen to himself?
How did they get there?
Who put them there?why?
This is such a powerful story.
Survival, and a beautiful twist at the end that will break your heart.
Emotional.
Abuse, racism, identity and displacement, it’s here, right here within these pages.
Dikembe, his story was so sad.
So was Lowly.
Each 90 years apart. Each within the confines of the attic.
This is told in interment chapters.
Dikembe, a man thought to buy him as a pony.
I’m nearly 64 and in school this sort of thing was taught in history class, yes, the slaves, the treatment that the White people used these humans for, despicable.
It’s history.
Learn from it.
I never understood it and I don’t now!
In this book, who has the right to be virtuous, controlling, superior and treat others who they feel are no consequences?
Lowly.
90 years later.
Had things changed?
He was the next child in the same attic.
Why are they connected?
Does Lowly know about the last child in the attic?
Does he know what happened to him?
What will happen to himself?
How did they get there?
Who put them there?why?
This is such a powerful story.
Survival, and a beautiful twist at the end that will break your heart.
Emotional.
November 3, 2022
The Attic Child by Lola Jaye. One of the best books I have read in along time. About a boy born in Africa. His father dies and he is taken to England by a stranger to be a companion to him. It goes into his life. The good times and the abuse he was subjected to until he grew older and took advantage of his education and knowledge. On another timeline 1993. A girl born to a mother and father. Mother dies. Father marries the most evil of step mothers. Father dies. The girl and the man now in his 90s eventually meet. She discovers their great similarities. Wonderful, captivating book. Great knowledge of Africa and England in the times.
May 30, 2025
WOW. A book that left me completely inconsolable from beginning to end
In The Attic Child We are following 12-year-oldCelestine Dikembe in early 1900s who has been taken from his homeland shipped off to the UK where he is either being locked in an attic or being an unpaid servant to his captors.
In 1974 Lowra a young orphan baby is born into wealth and privilege but her circumstances soon change for the worse and she also finds herself being locked in an attic. With both children trapped in the same attic almost a century apart we read along to see they are both bound by a shared secret.
I am so angry with myself that I have waited this long to read this masterpiece of an novel. From the beginning I was gripped in the horrible realities that was happening to Celestine and was instantly choked because although a fiction novel its very apparent that what was taking place in the early 1900s in African countries was very REAL. Truthfully I spent the whole of the book feeling heavy, overwhelmed and exhausted at the cruelties that was happening to Dikembe and Lowra who are complete innocent children being thrown into the worst circumstances.
This is a heartbreaking yet powerful book that should be read by all. The blend of past and present chapters was done impeccably, and I loved reading the POVS of both characters. This is one of those books that has altered my brain chemistry and Dikembe and Lowra will stay with me for a very long time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I know, I know, I am very late to read this!
I hear this book will have my emotions all over the place!
Tissues at the ready. Lets go!
🧡💜🧡
In The Attic Child We are following 12-year-old
In 1974 Lowra a young orphan baby is born into wealth and privilege but her circumstances soon change for the worse and she also finds herself being locked in an attic. With both children trapped in the same attic almost a century apart we read along to see they are both bound by a shared secret.
I am so angry with myself that I have waited this long to read this masterpiece of an novel. From the beginning I was gripped in the horrible realities that was happening to Celestine and was instantly choked because although a fiction novel its very apparent that what was taking place in the early 1900s in African countries was very REAL. Truthfully I spent the whole of the book feeling heavy, overwhelmed and exhausted at the cruelties that was happening to Dikembe and Lowra who are complete innocent children being thrown into the worst circumstances.
This is a heartbreaking yet powerful book that should be read by all. The blend of past and present chapters was done impeccably, and I loved reading the POVS of both characters. This is one of those books that has altered my brain chemistry and Dikembe and Lowra will stay with me for a very long time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I know, I know, I am very late to read this!
I hear this book will have my emotions all over the place!
Tissues at the ready. Lets go!
🧡💜🧡
February 6, 2025
Amazing journey! One of the best books I've read this year.
November 19, 2022
A bold, powerful saga of injustice, identity, and triumph. Based on very real atrocities, but also rooted in strength and perseverance, we quickly grow to love our narrators as they navigate a shared experience nearly a century apart. We see how family and love arrive when we least expect it, and there is nothing so enduring as our names, our faith, and our conviction. An emotional and gratifying journey for any historical reader, anyone who knows the power of words, memories, and narratives.
September 15, 2022
This is another book I have strangely mixed feelings about. Stories like this need to be told, but I so disliked the way this was told.
I normally dislike historical fiction with an alternating future perspective uncovering what we're already being told by the historical perspective. Based on the premise which only mentioned Dikembe and Lowra as children, I didn't expect that to be the case here, but it was. I didn't enjoy Lowra's adult perspective very much and tended to skim through those sections. I think the book would have been more effective if it focused mainly on the two protagonists as children and developing their parallels and differences that way instead of making everything glaringly obvious through Lowra's adult perspective.
A story like Dikembe's is heavy and powerful, but the writing was incongruent with the subject matter and made the story come across as a light and fluffy beach read when it should have been anything but. There was a lot of repetition, the dialogue sounded unrealistic, and the depictions of abuse read as caricatures.
I want to experience stories like this, but the execution of this one simply lacked any subtlety.
I normally dislike historical fiction with an alternating future perspective uncovering what we're already being told by the historical perspective. Based on the premise which only mentioned Dikembe and Lowra as children, I didn't expect that to be the case here, but it was. I didn't enjoy Lowra's adult perspective very much and tended to skim through those sections. I think the book would have been more effective if it focused mainly on the two protagonists as children and developing their parallels and differences that way instead of making everything glaringly obvious through Lowra's adult perspective.
A story like Dikembe's is heavy and powerful, but the writing was incongruent with the subject matter and made the story come across as a light and fluffy beach read when it should have been anything but. There was a lot of repetition, the dialogue sounded unrealistic, and the depictions of abuse read as caricatures.
I want to experience stories like this, but the execution of this one simply lacked any subtlety.
February 16, 2022
Dikembe and Lowra, 90 years apart, both end up in the same attic.
What is this place and why? And what is their connection?
Rotating chapters tell their heartfelt stories. Well written and perfectly paced.
This powerful novel speaks of survival, strength of character and love eventually.
A beautiful twist rounds up this impressive read.
Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.
What is this place and why? And what is their connection?
Rotating chapters tell their heartfelt stories. Well written and perfectly paced.
This powerful novel speaks of survival, strength of character and love eventually.
A beautiful twist rounds up this impressive read.
Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.
October 23, 2024
Often times I sit and wonder what my ancestors, those specifically attached to my bloodline, went through and fought for to get me to where I am today. It really bothers me that we are so disconnected from our lineage; so when I get to experience stories like Dekimbe’s it brings me so much joy despite the simultaneous pain.
At the tender age of 12, Dekimbe’s world was turned upside down. He went from a loving two parent home with older brothers one day to being sold off the next. With no knowledge of what his future held and whether he would see his family again, Dekimbe was fearful and rightfully so.
Dekimbe’s resilience was remarkable to read about. As the youngest and most sheltered of his siblings, he exhibited nothing but strength, quick wit and bravery when faced with so many obstacles. His owner attempted to strip him of his identity starting with the change of his name however what he couldn’t get his hand on was the heart and values and traditions instilled deeply within him.
My heart absolutely broke for Dekimbe on so many levels and while tears were shed, I was also rooting for him! I mean his courage and determination was everything!
And then on the opposite side of the story we read about Lowra. She had her own pain and trauma associated with loss and abandonment and one day while cleaning out her childhood home, she found herself on a journey of self discovery both past and present.
The way Lola Jaye connected both past and present was masterfully done. The story was chefs kiss and extremely easy to follow if you find that you struggle with back and forth time jumps. I was so locked in that I took my time with this read. Like I legit started this audio at the end of August. It’s a book you want to savor and take your time with.
This story will stick with me for an extremely long time! Dikembe and Lowra are now apart of me! Do yourselves a favor and read and or listen to this amazing work of art!
At the tender age of 12, Dekimbe’s world was turned upside down. He went from a loving two parent home with older brothers one day to being sold off the next. With no knowledge of what his future held and whether he would see his family again, Dekimbe was fearful and rightfully so.
Dekimbe’s resilience was remarkable to read about. As the youngest and most sheltered of his siblings, he exhibited nothing but strength, quick wit and bravery when faced with so many obstacles. His owner attempted to strip him of his identity starting with the change of his name however what he couldn’t get his hand on was the heart and values and traditions instilled deeply within him.
My heart absolutely broke for Dekimbe on so many levels and while tears were shed, I was also rooting for him! I mean his courage and determination was everything!
And then on the opposite side of the story we read about Lowra. She had her own pain and trauma associated with loss and abandonment and one day while cleaning out her childhood home, she found herself on a journey of self discovery both past and present.
The way Lola Jaye connected both past and present was masterfully done. The story was chefs kiss and extremely easy to follow if you find that you struggle with back and forth time jumps. I was so locked in that I took my time with this read. Like I legit started this audio at the end of August. It’s a book you want to savor and take your time with.
This story will stick with me for an extremely long time! Dikembe and Lowra are now apart of me! Do yourselves a favor and read and or listen to this amazing work of art!
July 18, 2022
This was a moving and harrowing read, with a dual timeline to thread two stories together.
The story of Dikembe is a powerful one to start with, and as the story moved to Lowra, I found myself wanting to go back to Dikembe.
The two characters are warm and likeable, and I loved how the attic was the common thing to join them together, separated by many years.
and the ending has stayed with me some several months after finishing it.
The story of Dikembe is a powerful one to start with, and as the story moved to Lowra, I found myself wanting to go back to Dikembe.
The two characters are warm and likeable, and I loved how the attic was the common thing to join them together, separated by many years.
and the ending has stayed with me some several months after finishing it.
September 2, 2025
This was really captivating. It was horrific and heartbreaking… but, in a way that pushes me to a larger understanding. This was hard to read, but to pursue through difficult topics is to learn and grow, and this book did that for me.
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, it’s not a preferred genre for me but if I do read it, I want to learn.
This story is told in dual timelines that slowly begin to entwine themselves together as we learn the truth of both experiences.
We meet 11 year old Dikembe in 1907 who is stolen from his family and his home in Africa to a rich man from England who takes him as his companion. His story in England is complicated and when the man who stole him away dies, Dikembe finds himself being locked in the attic of the upscale home he’s been living in.
In 1993 we meet 30 year old Lowra, who lived in the same house years earlier and through terrible circumstances, finds herself trapped in the same attic.
This was a super creative story that really showed the horrors of trafficking and murdering of African people in the early 1900s. I just cannot wrap my head around the cruelty that humans are capable of. And stories like this show how far we’ve come, but how far we still have to go. These events were not that long ago. That really has to sink in…. I’m just blown away by Joe good this was.
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, it’s not a preferred genre for me but if I do read it, I want to learn.
This story is told in dual timelines that slowly begin to entwine themselves together as we learn the truth of both experiences.
We meet 11 year old Dikembe in 1907 who is stolen from his family and his home in Africa to a rich man from England who takes him as his companion. His story in England is complicated and when the man who stole him away dies, Dikembe finds himself being locked in the attic of the upscale home he’s been living in.
In 1993 we meet 30 year old Lowra, who lived in the same house years earlier and through terrible circumstances, finds herself trapped in the same attic.
This was a super creative story that really showed the horrors of trafficking and murdering of African people in the early 1900s. I just cannot wrap my head around the cruelty that humans are capable of. And stories like this show how far we’ve come, but how far we still have to go. These events were not that long ago. That really has to sink in…. I’m just blown away by Joe good this was.
April 12, 2023
LOVED THIS! What a beautifully told and powerful story. I loved the characters and the struggles they went through and things that were forced upon them were incredibly heartbreaking. The writing was fantastic. The themes were hard and I really felt for these characters all the way through the book. It was long, but read quickly and didn’t feel long at all. I just loved it!
September 20, 2022
With such powerful emotions, beautiful story telling, and an interwoven history that packed one heck of an emotional punch… a full review will come soon after these raw feelings have somewhat abetted themselves. Just know this journey and the shared secret of two children almost 100 years apart … and the connection they share … is a 5/5 star read and this is a novel that everyone with a heart should partake of. Kudos to the author for reimagining the fate of a 12 year old child’s short life … reimagined a new way. Wow wow wow!
May 1, 2025
3.75⭐️
(buddy read with KaylasBookishVibes✨)
I was sooo excited to read this one!
This follows Dikembe and Lowra as the main characters who shared the space of an attic at two different points in time and how they’re stories overlap allowing us to see their hurt, struggle and resilience through the most unfortunate circumstances.
While this story had 5 star potential, the pacing was so off that it lost its spark pretty early on. It starts off on the slower side and the pacing was all over the place. As soon as I would dive deep into the story being wowed by plot twists and reveals, I’d instantly become a bit bored.
Overall, this was an amazing story and I did actually enjoy it. So much hope, promise, found family and love.
I definitely would recommend to others.
**Reading vlog for this one on my YouTube channel
(buddy read with KaylasBookishVibes✨)
I was sooo excited to read this one!
This follows Dikembe and Lowra as the main characters who shared the space of an attic at two different points in time and how they’re stories overlap allowing us to see their hurt, struggle and resilience through the most unfortunate circumstances.
While this story had 5 star potential, the pacing was so off that it lost its spark pretty early on. It starts off on the slower side and the pacing was all over the place. As soon as I would dive deep into the story being wowed by plot twists and reveals, I’d instantly become a bit bored.
Overall, this was an amazing story and I did actually enjoy it. So much hope, promise, found family and love.
I definitely would recommend to others.
**Reading vlog for this one on my YouTube channel
October 14, 2024
The Attic Child is a powerful story that dives deep into abandonment, neglect and the hidden cruelties underneath history. It dual timelines effectively show the parallels between past and present for our two main characters, and explore how those in privileged and trusted positions often rewrite history to suite their narratives. The children's grief felt so palpable for me making it a tough read, especially for parents. It's beautifully written and emotionally heavy and I am sure that this story will linger for a long time.
March 4, 2022
As I sit here in pieces and with tears in my eyes I’m wondering how I can give this wonderful and powerful book the credit it deserves but I know I can’t because I don’t have enough words it truly is an amazing read.
I loved the characters and really did feel so much love for Dikembe Kabili and Lowra the journey both their lives took was incredibly sad at times but also completely uplifting and I lived and breathed every page.
I have to congratulate the author Lola Jaye for writing this stunning story with such emotion and empathy making it a book I will keep in my heart always.... I’m not easily reduced to tears but oh boy this one nearly broke me and I will never forget it.
I can say no more as I said I can’t praise the read enough, please don’t miss it it’s more than wonderful and deserves more than the 5 stars I can give.
My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.and
I loved the characters and really did feel so much love for Dikembe Kabili and Lowra the journey both their lives took was incredibly sad at times but also completely uplifting and I lived and breathed every page.
I have to congratulate the author Lola Jaye for writing this stunning story with such emotion and empathy making it a book I will keep in my heart always.... I’m not easily reduced to tears but oh boy this one nearly broke me and I will never forget it.
I can say no more as I said I can’t praise the read enough, please don’t miss it it’s more than wonderful and deserves more than the 5 stars I can give.
My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.and
September 30, 2022
I’m torn on a final rating. This could have been a 5 star book, but it was a little too long, a little too “let’s wrap everything up in a bow”, but the first half was simply incredible. Incredible, incredible. Dikembe is a character that will stay with me for a long time.
3.5-4 rounding up for now.
3.5-4 rounding up for now.
September 17, 2022
The Attic Child
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/6/22
Author: Lola Jaye
Publisher: William Morrow and Company
Pages: 480
GR: 4.48
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and William Morrow and Company and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Two children trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, bound by a shared secret. Early 1900s London: Taken from his homeland, twelve-year-old Celestine spends most of the time locked away in the attic of a large house by the sea. The only freedom is acting as an unpaid servant to English explorer Sir Richard Babbington. 1974: Lowra, a young orphan girl born into wealth and privilege whose fortunes have now changed, finds herself trapped in the same attic. Searching for a ray of light in the darkness of the attic, Lowra finds under the floorboards an old-fashioned pen, a porcelain doll, a beaded necklace, and a message carved on the wall, written in an unidentifiable language. Providing comfort for her when all hope is lost, these clues will lead her to uncover the secrets of the attic.
My Thoughts: The story is narrated in a dual timeline, by the MCs, Dikembe and Lowra. This is a poignant, yet beautiful and powerful story of resilience. The book is slower paced at time, which is necessary to fill in the backstories of these amazing characters. The characters were well developed with depth, emotion, sadness, and creatively constructed. Jaye does a wonderful job of constructing these characters with such grace, sadness, while their stories are uplifting. The author’s writing style was multifaceted in complexity, thought provoking, powerful, and kept me absolutely engaged. This story produced a rollercoaster of emotions for me. Child abuse is one of the most distasteful crimes I can think of, having two children myself, I cannot imagine hurting one of them intentionally. Even though this story stands at almost 500 pages, it is 500 pages of glorious writing. Some stories you read and some stories are so powerful, that you are immersed into the experience, which is the case with this book. You could feel the loss, sadness, and hope of these characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/6/22
Author: Lola Jaye
Publisher: William Morrow and Company
Pages: 480
GR: 4.48
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and William Morrow and Company and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Two children trapped in the same attic, almost a century apart, bound by a shared secret. Early 1900s London: Taken from his homeland, twelve-year-old Celestine spends most of the time locked away in the attic of a large house by the sea. The only freedom is acting as an unpaid servant to English explorer Sir Richard Babbington. 1974: Lowra, a young orphan girl born into wealth and privilege whose fortunes have now changed, finds herself trapped in the same attic. Searching for a ray of light in the darkness of the attic, Lowra finds under the floorboards an old-fashioned pen, a porcelain doll, a beaded necklace, and a message carved on the wall, written in an unidentifiable language. Providing comfort for her when all hope is lost, these clues will lead her to uncover the secrets of the attic.
My Thoughts: The story is narrated in a dual timeline, by the MCs, Dikembe and Lowra. This is a poignant, yet beautiful and powerful story of resilience. The book is slower paced at time, which is necessary to fill in the backstories of these amazing characters. The characters were well developed with depth, emotion, sadness, and creatively constructed. Jaye does a wonderful job of constructing these characters with such grace, sadness, while their stories are uplifting. The author’s writing style was multifaceted in complexity, thought provoking, powerful, and kept me absolutely engaged. This story produced a rollercoaster of emotions for me. Child abuse is one of the most distasteful crimes I can think of, having two children myself, I cannot imagine hurting one of them intentionally. Even though this story stands at almost 500 pages, it is 500 pages of glorious writing. Some stories you read and some stories are so powerful, that you are immersed into the experience, which is the case with this book. You could feel the loss, sadness, and hope of these characters.
July 7, 2023
Got 167 pages in, couldn’t do it anymore. themes like colonialism, racism, abuse, and child trafficking seem like they’d make a powerful story that’s right up my alley, and I really tried to like this book, but the writing was just bad. lots of telling rather than showing, and no actual character or emotional development to make me care about what was happening outside of me already knowing that child trafficking is bad. ugh.
September 28, 2025
I just finished my favorite book of 2025. All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 4, 2022
The Attic Child begins with the story of Dikembe, a child from the Congo who is sold by his mother to a British gentleman explorer. We hear the story from his child eyes and how he goes from thinking he was a temporary servant to realizing he was permanently in this man's care as a companion. The gentleman keeps him as a "companion" thinking he is doing the best thing for this young "savage" child, believing he is both bringing Celestine into a world he could never reach on his own as well as educating fellow Britons that Africans are not inferior. How this proceeds is heartbreaking. Celestine pining for home and being treated awfully in his new country is achingly painful. When the gentleman dies, things only get much worse. We learn more about Dikembe's story by Lowra, a woman living in modern times reexamining her own childhood as her family home is being sold. I don't want to say more because experiencing the story on your own is beautiful.
I was really only invested in Celestine's timeline for the first half of the book, spending some time wondering why we needed Lowra's miserable views but when her connection was revealed, all made sense. I think I would have still preferred a straight storytelling of Celestine's life but I get that the author was trying to make some social commentary by keeping the modern storyline. I was so invested in Celestine, his views on the world, his passion, his anger, his resilience were intoxicating. I love when you read a novel and wish the characters were real people, I was so inspired by his spirit and his heart. I learned so much from this story about the fate of Africans in the hands of the British. Lowra's story shows us more traditional child abuse and the impact on mental health. The meeting of the two is a lovely picture of healing.
I did this one on audio and the narrators were fabulous. One of my favorite performances of the year. ️ ️ ️ ️
Thanks to Harper Audio via Netgalley for access to this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
I was really only invested in Celestine's timeline for the first half of the book, spending some time wondering why we needed Lowra's miserable views but when her connection was revealed, all made sense. I think I would have still preferred a straight storytelling of Celestine's life but I get that the author was trying to make some social commentary by keeping the modern storyline. I was so invested in Celestine, his views on the world, his passion, his anger, his resilience were intoxicating. I love when you read a novel and wish the characters were real people, I was so inspired by his spirit and his heart. I learned so much from this story about the fate of Africans in the hands of the British. Lowra's story shows us more traditional child abuse and the impact on mental health. The meeting of the two is a lovely picture of healing.
I did this one on audio and the narrators were fabulous. One of my favorite performances of the year. ️ ️ ️ ️
Thanks to Harper Audio via Netgalley for access to this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
June 1, 2022
Every now and then I read a book that I feel changes my life in some way, I'm not the same person before I read it as I am after. I don't know if that sounds silly but I guess I've always been a sentimental type of person. The Attic Child had such a profound effect on me it's not only one of my favourite books of the year but of all time.
So what is The Attic Child about? The Attic Child is about identity and belonging, its about the power of love and loss, its about family and secrets but most importantly its about Ndugu M'Hali a young African boy taken from his homeland against his will to be a 'companion' to the explorer Henry Morton Stanley.
When Lola Jaye visited an exhibition at a gallery she came across Ndugu's picture and was inspired to write his story as it should of been as one of survival and triumph, Of Joy and hope. Lola wanted to give him his voice, she's achieved that tenfold.
The way this story is told in such a raw yet accessible manner with two children, Lowra an orphan raised with privilege and Dikembe or Celestine as he is later known after his name was stolen from him, experiencing being trapped in an attic nearly a century apart but bound by the same secrets really captivates the reader.
The alternating perspectives really gave a great sense of time and place. This isn't the kind of story you just read I really felt like it was an experience that embeds its way into your heart.
The truth of the matter is my words can never do The Attic Child justice. If I could persuade you to read one book this year it would be this one. It's honestly immaculate. From start to finish. Lola I am in awe of your talent and your heart you didn't just give Ndugu his voice, you highlighted such an important yet devastating part of history that we all have a duty to Learn about. Sincerely thank you.
So what is The Attic Child about? The Attic Child is about identity and belonging, its about the power of love and loss, its about family and secrets but most importantly its about Ndugu M'Hali a young African boy taken from his homeland against his will to be a 'companion' to the explorer Henry Morton Stanley.
When Lola Jaye visited an exhibition at a gallery she came across Ndugu's picture and was inspired to write his story as it should of been as one of survival and triumph, Of Joy and hope. Lola wanted to give him his voice, she's achieved that tenfold.
The way this story is told in such a raw yet accessible manner with two children, Lowra an orphan raised with privilege and Dikembe or Celestine as he is later known after his name was stolen from him, experiencing being trapped in an attic nearly a century apart but bound by the same secrets really captivates the reader.
The alternating perspectives really gave a great sense of time and place. This isn't the kind of story you just read I really felt like it was an experience that embeds its way into your heart.
The truth of the matter is my words can never do The Attic Child justice. If I could persuade you to read one book this year it would be this one. It's honestly immaculate. From start to finish. Lola I am in awe of your talent and your heart you didn't just give Ndugu his voice, you highlighted such an important yet devastating part of history that we all have a duty to Learn about. Sincerely thank you.
October 4, 2023
Attic Child revolves around two main characters Dikembe/Celestine and Lowra. The two, almost a century apart share the same horrors of trauma, abuse, and the will to survive while trapped inside an attic. Dikembe, (1900s) was taken from his home in Africa to live with a British explorer in London. Lowra (1990s) returns back to her house of horrors after a relative dies and she inherits the estate. When she finds unique items under the floorboards she’s determined to find its owner.
Slow burn but an excellent read going back and forth in time with this dual narration. It’s an enlightening path of two very different people yet somehow connected. I was emotionally invested in Dikembe and could feel the pain of this child who was uprooted from his home, scared, alone and constantly wondering when he’ll see his family again. It’s a slight glimpse into life in Africa in the 1900s which I wanted more of. Overall a thought provoking book that will stick with me.
Looking forward to reading another book of hers.
4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Slow burn but an excellent read going back and forth in time with this dual narration. It’s an enlightening path of two very different people yet somehow connected. I was emotionally invested in Dikembe and could feel the pain of this child who was uprooted from his home, scared, alone and constantly wondering when he’ll see his family again. It’s a slight glimpse into life in Africa in the 1900s which I wanted more of. Overall a thought provoking book that will stick with me.
Looking forward to reading another book of hers.
4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
January 22, 2025
This story will forever be with me. I absolutely adore this book and although so deeply sad there is a spark of joy that gave me great comfort in the final stanza. Nothing I can write will provide justice to the pages of this remarkable novel that is my first 5 star exceptional read of 2025. Thank you Eryn for gifting me this book, I am eternally grateful for your generosity and will be recommending this book for quite some time.
Very rarely will a book pull me in so hard I feel like I owe it to the novel itself to finish, quickly. I just couldn't stop thinking about Dikembe and Lowra, two characters who were masterfully crafted and delicately, lovingly intertwined by an author just beyond talented. Two tales of loss and abandonment, with a redemptive arch that proved powerful and screen worthy. How I would love to see this brought to film and feel it could be Oscar worthy if done justice. This is really a special read and will hit your emotions square in the nose.
What is it about? A child, Dikembe, is removed from his Congolese family in the early 1900s by a white settler. A life promised and provided in short order is abrubtly changed when the white man passes and Dikembe's path takes a truly tragic turn. Banished to an attic and taken advantage of, made to work for nothing and barely fed. We meet Lowra 90 years in the future in the year 1993 who herself has had a terrible childhood abandoned for many moons alone in the same attic. What is the connection? That is the beauty of this book. It is so masterfully crafted and delivered with delicacy that you will find yourself engulfed and needing to meet the final sentence.
I don't cry during books, Jenn is pretty good at that, but I got damn close in this one and I can not overstate just how great this story is. Please, do yourself a favor and read this perfect novel. My god.
Very rarely will a book pull me in so hard I feel like I owe it to the novel itself to finish, quickly. I just couldn't stop thinking about Dikembe and Lowra, two characters who were masterfully crafted and delicately, lovingly intertwined by an author just beyond talented. Two tales of loss and abandonment, with a redemptive arch that proved powerful and screen worthy. How I would love to see this brought to film and feel it could be Oscar worthy if done justice. This is really a special read and will hit your emotions square in the nose.
What is it about? A child, Dikembe, is removed from his Congolese family in the early 1900s by a white settler. A life promised and provided in short order is abrubtly changed when the white man passes and Dikembe's path takes a truly tragic turn. Banished to an attic and taken advantage of, made to work for nothing and barely fed. We meet Lowra 90 years in the future in the year 1993 who herself has had a terrible childhood abandoned for many moons alone in the same attic. What is the connection? That is the beauty of this book. It is so masterfully crafted and delivered with delicacy that you will find yourself engulfed and needing to meet the final sentence.
I don't cry during books, Jenn is pretty good at that, but I got damn close in this one and I can not overstate just how great this story is. Please, do yourself a favor and read this perfect novel. My god.
May 18, 2024
“I need you to make sure it is made clear that, although my story started a certain way, it ended with love…so much love..”
Over the past couple days, I found myself completely lost in this book. What an amazingly beautiful, painful story.
Dekimbe found himself ripped away from his family and his life in the Congo and thrown into a world he knew nothing about. His identity was stripped from him and he was expected to be an English gentleman. When his “captor” dies, Dekimbe’s life becomes a nightmare.
Aside from Dekimbe’s story, what made this story even more captivating was the dual POVs/timelines. When Lowra is introduced, you know right away that at some point she’d experienced trauma. The way the author begins to intertwine these two timelines is just 🤌🏾.
If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend. Lola Jaye did a remarkable job giving a lion a voice 🖤
“…in the end, I just want to be back home..”
Note: throughout history so many were regarded as “great explorers”. Without a doubt, Sir Babbington was no great explorer or savior. He was a thief, a trafficker, and a drunk.
Over the past couple days, I found myself completely lost in this book. What an amazingly beautiful, painful story.
Dekimbe found himself ripped away from his family and his life in the Congo and thrown into a world he knew nothing about. His identity was stripped from him and he was expected to be an English gentleman. When his “captor” dies, Dekimbe’s life becomes a nightmare.
Aside from Dekimbe’s story, what made this story even more captivating was the dual POVs/timelines. When Lowra is introduced, you know right away that at some point she’d experienced trauma. The way the author begins to intertwine these two timelines is just 🤌🏾.
If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend. Lola Jaye did a remarkable job giving a lion a voice 🖤
“…in the end, I just want to be back home..”
Note: throughout history so many were regarded as “great explorers”. Without a doubt, Sir Babbington was no great explorer or savior. He was a thief, a trafficker, and a drunk.
November 10, 2022
ALL.👏🏽 THE.👏🏽 STARS. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two children, a century apart, share traumatic, catastrophic experiences that bound them forever.
Dual timelines and MCs weave the story together in the most seamless way. The author provided impeccable character development. I was fully immersed in this story and thoroughly enjoyed reading the physical copy and audiobook concurrently. By the end, I wanted to MEET Dikembe because his story just came to life. He was such a REMARKABLE character; I would’ve loved to have known him.
This was such an exquisite, eye-opening, heartbreaking (but also uplifting) story. I can’t recommend it enough! It will go down as a top 10 of 2022 for me.
TW: Abuse, trafficking.
Two children, a century apart, share traumatic, catastrophic experiences that bound them forever.
Dual timelines and MCs weave the story together in the most seamless way. The author provided impeccable character development. I was fully immersed in this story and thoroughly enjoyed reading the physical copy and audiobook concurrently. By the end, I wanted to MEET Dikembe because his story just came to life. He was such a REMARKABLE character; I would’ve loved to have known him.
This was such an exquisite, eye-opening, heartbreaking (but also uplifting) story. I can’t recommend it enough! It will go down as a top 10 of 2022 for me.
TW: Abuse, trafficking.
Read
October 5, 2022The Amerie's Book Club selection for the month of October is THE ATTIC CHILD by Lola Jaye!
Follow @AmeriesBookClub on IG, and join me and Lola Jaye on my IGLIVE (@Amerie) October 28 at 1pm EST/10am PST. Bring your questions!
One of the most devastating genocides in human history is highlighted in Lola Jaye's THE ATTIC CHILD, in which a young boy is taken from his Congolese home and thrust into a European world which, at worst, hates him, and at best, sees him as a living curiosity. Through sheer force of will, Dikembe/Celestine not only survives, but finds a way to love and thrive despite all that is set against him. As his story intersects with the parallel story of a young woman desperate to make sense of her own trauma, the reader explores universal truths of love, narrative, and survival. My heart bled as I bore witness to Dikembe's coming of age, and it nearly burst when he reached his ultimate triumph. Lola Jaye has surpassed her goal to "give a lion a voice," resulting in a world, a shared history, and a truth that is laid painfully bare.
#ReadWithAmerie #AmeriesBookClub @Amerie @AmeriesBookClub @Lola.Jaye #LolaJaye @WilliamMorrowBooks #TheAtticChild
📚
ABOUT LOLA JAYE
Lola Jaye is an author, registered psychotherapist and speaker who has penned six novels and a self-help book.
She was born and raised in London, England and has lived in Nigeria and the United States. She currently works as a psychotherapist. She has written for, CNN, HuffPost, Essence and the BBC and also speaks on issues of mental health and racism. She has also appeared on national television, most recently discussing Covid 19 and mental wellbeing. Lola once gave a presentation on imposter syndrome – a subject close to her heart, because at times she’s unable to believe she’s an actual writer!
Follow @AmeriesBookClub on IG, and join me and Lola Jaye on my IGLIVE (@Amerie) October 28 at 1pm EST/10am PST. Bring your questions!
One of the most devastating genocides in human history is highlighted in Lola Jaye's THE ATTIC CHILD, in which a young boy is taken from his Congolese home and thrust into a European world which, at worst, hates him, and at best, sees him as a living curiosity. Through sheer force of will, Dikembe/Celestine not only survives, but finds a way to love and thrive despite all that is set against him. As his story intersects with the parallel story of a young woman desperate to make sense of her own trauma, the reader explores universal truths of love, narrative, and survival. My heart bled as I bore witness to Dikembe's coming of age, and it nearly burst when he reached his ultimate triumph. Lola Jaye has surpassed her goal to "give a lion a voice," resulting in a world, a shared history, and a truth that is laid painfully bare.
#ReadWithAmerie #AmeriesBookClub @Amerie @AmeriesBookClub @Lola.Jaye #LolaJaye @WilliamMorrowBooks #TheAtticChild
📚
ABOUT LOLA JAYE
Lola Jaye is an author, registered psychotherapist and speaker who has penned six novels and a self-help book.
She was born and raised in London, England and has lived in Nigeria and the United States. She currently works as a psychotherapist. She has written for, CNN, HuffPost, Essence and the BBC and also speaks on issues of mental health and racism. She has also appeared on national television, most recently discussing Covid 19 and mental wellbeing. Lola once gave a presentation on imposter syndrome – a subject close to her heart, because at times she’s unable to believe she’s an actual writer!
October 2, 2022
2.5… because I finished it. If this had been a library borrow I would have DNF.It was my BOTM pick. The idea was great and it started off good, then became bored. This could have been a great story but it was about 200 pages too long and needed more development emotionally to the main characters. Meh.
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