Housegirl

"The friendship that gradually develops between Belinda and Amma is very persuasively observed—an intimacy forged through drunken, unsupervised house parties in the long summer after A-levels; wilful misbehaviour at dressy Ghanaian expat gatherings; and backs-to-the-wall standoffs with hostile Jamaican girls on the bus down Coldharbour Lane… Donkor’s principal achievement is the dignity and generosity of spirit with which he imbues a central character from a largely invisible seam of African society."—Alfred Hickling, The Guardian

"At times, there are flashes of Jane Eyre in Belinda’s role as a 'governess' of sorts, but there is no Mr. Rochester to save her from her life, nor a sugary ending. The focus is on the love that flows between women and the need for Belinda to find a place that feels like home . . . (A) warm and accomplished novel."—Arifa Akbar, The Observer

"Donkor’s debut novel concerns itself with those who don’t traditionally get much of a look-in when it comes to fiction: two Ghanaian housegirls . . . A warm and intelligent story,offering full-bodied characters and a fortifying examination of courage."—The Mail on Sunday

"Donkor’s dense descriptions of life in Ghana and London capture the dazzling disorientation of a young village girl on her own. Compelling female characters abound; it’s surprising to discover a young male writer who so successfully inhabits a female point of view."—Reba Leiding, Library Journal (starred review)

"Confident and illuminating...An intimate and resonant take on finding one's place in the world even while being pulled in opposing directions."—Kirkus Reviews