The New Tribe

In The New Tribe, pioneering author Buchi Emecheta tells the tale of a young Nigerian boy adopted by a white family. In this, her final novel, Emecheta explores the isolating experiences of growing up Black in Britain. 'Chester could not remember the exact moment when he knew he was adopted ... However, even at the age of four or five, he felt a sense of unbelonging.' Life changes dramatically for the Arlingtons when an abandoned baby girl, Julia, arrives unexpectedly on their doorstep. Only two years later, their lives are irrevocably changed once again when they discover that a Nigerian mother is in desperate need of a loving home for her baby boy named Chester... Instantly marked as different from the other children in his school – and even from his own family – Chester's pain and confusion at growing up an outcast push him to find out about his biological family. The New Tribe is a poignant and heart-warming story of Chester's journey through childhood as a son, brother, and best friend. Buchi Emecheta weaves together a tale of love and acceptance while illuminating the importance of self-discovery. 'We are able to speak because [Buchi Emecheta] first spoke.' Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 'Her name deserves to be embedded in our literary history.' Bernardine Evaristo 'A pioneer among female African writers.' Guardian