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The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell

Progress is just the word we use to disguise power doing its thing. Introduction  Namwali Serpell's debut novel, The Old Drift, is a remarkable literary work that traverses the boundaries of genre and narrative style to weave a multi-generational saga set in Zambia. Published in 2019, the novel has garnered critical acclaim for its ambitious scope, intricate plotting, and rich thematic depth. Serpell, a Zambian writer and scholar, employs a unique blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and speculative elements to explore the intertwined lives of three families over more than a century. Through this expansive narrative, "The Old Drift" dives into the complexities of identity, colonialism, and progress, offering a profound commentary on the human condition and the legacy of historical forces. Synopsis  "The Old Drift" begins in 1904 with a fateful encounter between a British colonist and an Italian hotelier near Victoria Falls, setting in motion a complex w...