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'Rich, moving and uplifting' Stylist
Sometimes courage can be found in the most unexpected places... Otolorin Akinro leaves his grand, rural Nigerian home for boarding school with a plan: be the best boy he can, earn a scholarship to an American university and until he gets there, hide the side of himself that has caused him so much hurt.
Life at his new school is a revelation. Away from the cruelty he experienced throughout his childhood, Oto blooms, joining the art studio and designing sets for the school play. For the first time in his life, he makes friends easily, soon becoming inseparable from his handsome and talented roommate.
But he cannot stay away forever. Back home for the holidays, Oto and his twin sister are overjoyed to see each other, but their mother's violence and abuse erupt once again. Although she loves him deeply, a terrible incident drags the twins apart and Oto is left alone.
As his world goes up in flames, can Otolorin rebuild his life with the part of himself that has been hidden for so long? An Ordinary Wonder is a captivating, emotional and uplifting coming-of-age story about family, identity, gender and culture and discovering your whole, true self.'A spellbinding tale that prompts deep reflection around concepts of gender and identity... Has a vivid beauty that kept me enthralled throughout' Angela Chadwick
'Brilliant and ultimately uplifting... A story of hope and optimism towards possible futures. Utterly stunning' Isabel Waidner
'Blew me away with its tender portrait of innocence, vulnerability and strength. Deftly, wisely, Papillon weaves together strands of history and identity which are too often separated' Okechukwu Nzelu
'Profoundly moving... All the more so for featuring an unforgettable protagonist in Otolorin, who will captivate readers with her hope, humour and joy of life' Elodie Harper
About the author
Buki Papillon was born in Nigeria, the oldest of six. After studying law at Hull University in the UK, she completed an MFA in Creative Writing at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. An Ordinary Wonder, her debut novel, has received glowing reviews and mentions in the
The New York Times,
Ms. Magazine,
Essence and
Cosmopolitan UK, and is brilliantly narrated in audiobook by Bridgerton actor, Adjoa Andoh.
Buki has received several fellowships and awards for her writing and is an alumnus of Key West Literary, Vermont Studio Center and Vona Voices residencies and workshops. Her work was published in
Post Road Magazine and
The Del Sol Review. She has in the past been a travel adviser, events host and chef. Buki currently lives in Boston, where she is resigned to finding inspiration in the long winters.
Summary
A powerful novel about an intersex Nigerian teenager and the courage to be yourself.
Foreword
A powerful novel about an intersex Nigerian teenager and the courage to be yourself.
Additional text
A terrific coming-of-age story exploring complex desires as well as what it means to feel whole
