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When We Were Birds

3.8(65)
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About the book

Winner of the BOCAS Prize for Fiction 2023
Winner of for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award 2023
Shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize 2023
Shortlisted for the McKitterick Prize 2023
Shortlisted for the Kitschies Golden Tentacle Award 2023
Longlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2023

'BELIEVE THE HYPE' Stella

'A searing symphony of magic and loss, love and hope' Marlon James

'A mesmerising love story, achingly tender' Bolu Babalola

Darwin is a down-on-his-luck gravedigger, newly arrived in the Trinidadian city of Port Angeles to seek his fortune, young and beautiful and lost. Estranged from his mother and the Rastafari faith she taught him, he is convinced that the father he never met may be waiting for him somewhere amid these bustling streets.

Meanwhile in an old house on a hill, where the city meets the rainforest, Yejide's mother is dying. And she is leaving behind a legacy that now passes to Yejide: the power to talk to the dead. The women of Yejide's family are human but also not - descended from corbeau, the black birds that fly east at sunset, taking with them the souls of the dead.

Darwin and Yejide both have something that the other needs. Their destinies are intertwined, and they will find one another in the sprawling, ancient cemetery at the heart of the island, where trouble is brewing...

Rich with magic and wisdom, When We Were Birds is an exuberant masterpiece that conjures and mesmerises on every line. Ayanna Lloyd Banwo weaves an unforgettable story of loss and renewal, darkness and light; a triumphant reckoning with a grief that runs back generations and a defiant, joyful affirmation of hope.

'Exceptional' Jacob Ross

'Exquisite' Avni Doshi

'It's a knockout, and Ayanna Lloyd Banwo is a star' Niven Govinden

'When We Were Birds marks the emergence of a distinctive and powerful voice' Pat Barker, author of The Silence of the Girls

Editions (4)

ISBN9780241991633
PublisherPenguin Books Ltd (UK)
Publication Date02/09/23
Pages278

Reviews & Ratings

65 ratings

19 reviews

3.8

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  • jen85bey
    jen85bey

    20 Followers

    4.0

    ‘When we were birds’ is a truly captivating tale about Trinidad, exploring the deep bond with our ancestors. It’s a story that spans time, passed down from generation to generation, full of sensitivity, mystery and a vibrant mix of bright and dark moments. It centres on two people from different walks of life, showing us the intricate nature of their relationships. As a non-English speaker, the writing style was a bit tricky for me, sometimes feeling a bit choppy, possibly because of the Trinidad slang. But even with this, the real Trinidadian English really brings the story to life, adding a touch of Caribbean folklore. The story starts off strong, then takes a bit of a dip in the middle, but picks up again at the end, leaving us with a satisfying and haunting conclusion. I really enjoyed reading the book because it was something completely new and an unexpected story.

    Mar 25, 2026

  • allesisterleuchtet
    allesisterleuchtet

    199 Followers

    4.0

    Besonderes und mysteriöses Buch über Trinidad

    "Als wir Vögel waren" von Ayanna Lloyd Banwo ist ein ungewöhnliches Buch. Es spielt in Trinidad und handelt von Darwin, einem Rastafari, der aufgrund seiner Religion die Toten meidet aber als einzigen Job eine Arbeit auf dem Friedhof bekommt und von Yeijide, deren Familie von jeher an der Schwelle zwischen Tod und Leben wacht und die dieses Erbe von ihrer Mutter erbt. Das Buch ist seltsam, fremd und mysteriös, einfach eine sehr andere Welt zwischen Realität und Traum geschrieben in einer schönen Sprache. Schön zu lesen.

    Jul 23, 2024

  • stier
    stier

    247 Followers

    3.0

    Aus dem Interview mit der Autorin:) Alle Geschichten sind Liebesgeschichten. Wir trauern, weil wir diejenigen lieben, die wir verloren haben, und die Toten gehen nicht, weil sie die Menschen und das Leben, das sie zurückgelassen haben, lieben. Teilweise war mir das Buch zu fantastisch.

    Dec 27, 2024

3 of 19 reviews

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