For Such a Time as This: 'A glittering new voice' Bernardine Evaristo

(Paperback, MMP)

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A group of young, Black British friends navigate their way through the ups and downs of modern London life, in this richly imagined collection of linked stories. 'Heartachingly beautiful.'Lizzie Damilola Blackburn,author ofYinka,Where is Your Huzband 'Full of heart.' Taiye Selasi, author ofGhana Must Go 'Devoured this in one daysuffused with love and warmth.' Jendella Benson, author ofHope & Glory These are the people who sustain us through good times and bad. Meet Niah and her friends. Theyre young, theyre smart, theyre part of a tight friendship group determined to make the most of every day. And their lives are about to change forever. From the tingling excitement of a new relationship to the challenges of online dating, from the shadow of racism in the workplace to the isolation of Covid-19, the stories inFor Such a Time as Thisburst with romance and friendship. This stunning new collection is a powerful snapshot of the relationships and moments that make us who we are.

Reviews

'All the stories are heartachingly beautiful.'Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author ofYinka, Where is Your Huzband

'A rich collection of stories that are visceral, thought provoking and convey every human emotion. Shani Akilah is a stunning and exciting new voice and a writer to watch.' Nadine Matheson, author of The Jigsaw Man

'A glittering new voice in the literary firmament.'Bernardine Evaristo, author ofGirl, Woman, Other, Winner of the Booker Prize

'A group of young, Black British friends work their way through life's winding path of ups and downs. Prepare to be transported from London's Woolwich to Jamaica.' Marie Claire, 'Summer Reads' picks

'A warm book that opens up before you and beckons you into a world of community, closeness, hope and heart. Akilah's work is a delight.' Bolu Babalola, author of Honey & Spice

'Eloquent, accessible, and full of heart, these interconnectedstories draw one into an unforgettable group ofyoung Black-British friends. Funny,thought-provoking and deeply moving.An astonishing debut.'Taiye Selasi, author of Ghana Must Go

'The paginated equivalent of that first toe dipping into a steaming bath - a sparkling, thought-provokingdebut collection full of warmth.'Onyi Nwabineli, author ofAllow Me to Introduce Myself

'Moreish, tender and thoroughly engrossing... There's a warm and heartfeltquality to Shani's writing that makes this collection difficult to put down.' Jyoti Patel, author of TheThings That They Lost

'For Such A Time As Thisis a collection that, like its stories, leaves one wanting more... A beautiful, gripping and humorously vivid work.' Nikki Adebiyi, founder of Bounce Black

'A bold new collection of short stories from a millennial Black British voice... to read her collection is truly beautiful. Get into it!' 'Book of Cinz', founder of Read Caribbean Month

'Akilah doesn't shy away from the nitty-gritty of city life...but it's her celebrations of steadfast, soulful connections that stand out... Faith, friendship and family are the bedrocks of Akilah's clued-in, conversational debut... There's an eloquent immediacy of these interlinked stories of Black Londoners.' Daily Mail

'Each story will pull on your heartstrings, for different reasons youll laugh, cry and rage along with the protagonist of each story. A beautiful debut from an author to watch.' Amazon Summer Reading: Short story collections

'Akilahs voice is intimate, and each story is approached with care and compassion for her characters and their experiences. It's the perfect book for a warm summer's day.'Caleb Azumah Nelson, author ofOpen Water

'Akilah's stories are both eye-opening and familiar, and so intimately written you feel every emotion alongside each character. A delight!' Luan Goldie, author of Nightingale Point

'A warm, inviting and illuminating collection that shows the pressures on young, Black British people.' The Lotus Readers

'A masterful debut by Ruthvika Rao, weaving a compelling tale of forbidden love against the tumultuous political backdrop of 1960s India... Captivates readers with its rich tapestry of characters, intense emotions, and a storyline that delves deep into the social divide and political unrest of post-independence India.'Asian Lite

'These interlinked stories of Black Londoners negotiating the nitty gritty of city life are vital and vividly told. While there's heartbreak here, and grief, it's the celebration of steadfast, soulful connections that stands out in Shani Akilah's clued in, conversational debut.' The Simple Things

Author Bio

Shani Akilahis a Black-British Caribbean writer and screenwriter from South London. She is a book influencer,co-founder of the Nyah Network, a book club for Black women, and was a literary judge for the Nota Bene Prize 2023. Shani has a Masters degree in African Studies from Oxford University.For Such a Time as Thisis her debut short-story collection.