Manorism

By: Yomi Sode

Narrated by: Yomi Sode

Brought to you by Penguin.

Impassioned, insightful, electric, Manorism is a poetic examination of the lives of Black British men and boys: propped up and hemmed in by contemporary masculinity, deepened by family, misrepresented in the media, and complicated by the riches, and the costs, of belonging and inheritance. It is also an exploration of the differences of impunity afforded to white and Black people, and to white and Black artists.

Caravaggio - originally, unexpectedly - looms large: as a man who moved between spheres of exalted patronage and petty criminality; as a painter who, amid the elegant conventions of late Mannerism, forged his own style of visceral dark and light; and as an individual whose recognized genius was allowed to legitimate and excuse his violence.

In this profound and moving debut, Yomi Sode asks: what does it mean to find oneself between worlds - to 'code-switch', adapting one's speech and manners to widely differing cultural contexts? Who is, and who isn't, allowed to be more than their origins? And what do we owe each other? What do we owe ourselves?

The audiobook includes archival recordings with friends and family, and music by Nutty P.

©2022 Yomi Sode (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A wonder of a collection." (Caleb Azumah Nelson)

"Thrilling...once-in-a-generation." (Jackie Kay)

"Genius...tells a thousand stories in stunningly crafted verse." (Nikita Gill)