What I’m Reading: The Year of Return by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori

Synopsis: “In December 2019, as Ghana's vibrant streets buzz with the climax of the ‘Year of Return,’ an initiative marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were forcibly taken to Virginia, Adwapa, a Ghanaian journalist living in the U.S., decides to journey back to her homeland. Accompanied by friends, she seeks to reconnect with his roots during this historic commemoration, unaware that the trip will lead them into the heart of a mystery that transcends time and reality.

“As the celebrations reach their zenith, the Atlantic Ocean, witness to untold horrors of the past, begins to stir with an ancient and restless energy. From its depths emerge the spirits of the enslaved, those who perished in the harrowing Middle Passage, returning not in peace but in turmoil. Their emergence sends shockwaves around the globe, transforming the ‘Year of Return’ into a haunting spectacle of reawakened histories and unresolved grievances.”

My take: This slim novella from Android Press is stunning, original, chilling, and makes you think. Ofori renders this text with careful nuance. For example, The Coasters hold different meanings for readers depending on their cultural backgrounds, as does each character’s relationship with the African diaspora. Deeply layered and powerful, The Year of Return is a must-read.