When We Speak of Nothing by Olumide Popoola

If grime music were a novel, it would be this. The stream of consciousness prose, peppered with contemporary slang, captures what it means to be young, black and queer in London. When We Speak of Nothing launches a powerful new talent. Abu finds himself caught up in its midst, leading to a tragedy that forces Karl to race back home. Save up to 80 versus print by going digital with VitalSource. Meanwhile, the murder of Mark Duggan triggers a full-scale riot in London. When We Speak of Nothing is written by Olumide Popoola and published by CASSAVA REPUBLIC. Karl, a transgender boy who is figuring out his gender identity, is one of the books main protagonists. Increasingly distant from happenings in London, Karl falls headlong for Nakale’s feisty cousin, Janoma. When We Talk of Nothing by Olumide Popoola: Feminine Masculinity A number of subjects are examined in the book When We Talk of Nothing, including gender identity, racism, and class. Rejected on arrival, Karl befriends Nakale, an activist who wants to expose the ecocide in the Niger Delta to the world. When Karl finds out his father lives in Nigeria, he decides that Port Harcourt is the best place to escape the sound and fury of London, and connect with a Dad he’s never known. Meanwhile, Karl is the target of the local ‘wannabe’ thugs just for being different. With When We Speak of Nothing Olumide Popoola has created a contemporary young adult novel that addresses the strains of growing up in an economy ravaged by neoliberal economic policies and a community suffering from prejudicial social policies. Abu is infatuated with gorgeous classmate Nalini but dares not speak to her. In 2019 Scottish writer Jackie Kay named her one. It’s 2011 and racial tensions are set to explode across London. Her critically acclaimed novel When We Speak of Nothing was published by Cassava Republic Press in 2017. Best mates Karl and Abu are both 17 and live near Kings Cross.

When We Speak of Nothing by Olumide Popoola