Tale of diverse cultural experiences

'My mother was my first country, the first place I ever lived'. The author Nana Oforiatta Ayim opens the book The God Child with this catchy quote by Nayyirah Waheed.

- DR. NAVNEET KAUR

As one progresses through the book one realizes the profundity of this quote in terms of its relatability with the experiences of the chief protagonist Maya.

Reading about Maya's childhood in Germany and England and young womanhood in Ghana, this captivating novel expeditiously brings forth the psychological and emotional experiences of a young Ghanaian girl trying to construct her own identity.

A lot has been written on the themes of colonialism, white supremacy and lingering effects of racism on society but still, this book successfully touches upon the nerve of these sensitive issues in such a way that keeps the reader hooked.

The defalcation of the African art and the artifacts and the attempts of the key characters to restore their country's lost history and culture is presented as one of the central themes in the work.

From gender politics to living as a young black immigrant in Europe, the book is invigorated with rich characterization and brightly detailed scenes.

Maya, whose childhood and growing up years are torn between Germany, England and Ghana is perceived as a foreigner in her home country and outside too. She stands out in the former because of her mannerisms and in the latter because of her external attributes.