Chibundu Onuzo’s latest novel Sankofa is getting all the right attention. It is the October pick for Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. She describe’s Onuzo’s novel as a “beautiful exploration of the often complex parameters of freedom.”

The Reese Book Club, which was launched in 2017, is one of many celebrity-hosted book clubs, which aims to use their status to draw attention to newly published works. At the start of each month, Witherspoon selects a book and makes a few remarks about it. The book is celebrated all through the month in the form of curated social media content and virtual events. Witherspoon favors books that center female characters. Interestingly, a good number of the books spotlighted have gone on to become New York Times bestsellers.

Flip through the carousel post to see a video of Witherspoon talking about why loves Sankofa.

 

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A post shared by Reese’s Book Club (@reesesbookclub)

Witherspoon’s announcement on Instagram reads:

“For anyone who has ever gone looking for their biological parent and found something much more in its place, this book is for you! Our October @ReesesBookClub pick, #Sankofa is a beautiful exploration of the often complex parameters of freedom, prejudice and individual sense of self. @chibunduonuzo has written a captivating story about a mixed-race British woman who goes in search of the West African father she never knew. Join us over on #reesesbookclub this month as we discuss this beautiful book about a woman brace enough to discover her true identity.”

Onuzo’s selection is the second time a work by an African author is being selected. The first work is the beautiful family drama by Ghana’s Peace Adzo Medie’s His Only Wife, selected exactly a year ago in October 2020.

Safe to say we can expect Sankofa to hit several bestseller lists soon.

Congratulations to Onuzo!