One for Sorrow, Two for Joy

Marie-Claire Amuah

From Shelf: Diverse Books Awards 2023 Longlist, Adult

It's hard to plan your future when the ghosts of your childhood won't leave you alone...

*Winner of the Diverse Book Award 2023*

'I loved this book so much! Intense and beautiful and heartbreaking.' Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder

It's hard to plan your future when the ghosts of the past won't leave you alone...

Stella tries very hard to be good. She tries not to be sassy, to answer back, to be noticed. Because when Stella's father is angry, it's like lightning and thunder and hailstones.

Years later, Stella has left her troubled childhood behind and appears to have it all: a degree, a demanding job as a barrister and a group of friends who always have her back. But underneath the surface, she is haunted by her past. It will take all her grace, courage and love to heal her wounds and break free.

Set against a backdrop of London and Ghana, Marie-Claire Amuah's remarkable debut is an unforgettable exploration of intergenerational trauma. Brimming with compassion, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy offers both a sensitive portrayal of the ripple effects of domestic violence, and a defiant story of friendship, resilience and hope.