Reading the Ceiling
{{Short description|2007 novel by Gambian writer Dayo Forster}}
{{Orphan|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox book
| author = Dayo Forster
| language = English
| publisher = Simon & Schuster (UK)
| isbn = 9781416527640
| pub_date = May 2007
| media_type = Print
| image = File:Reading the Ceiling (2007).jpg
| caption = Book cover
}}
Reading the Ceiling is a 2007 debut novel by Dayo Forster. Forster was born in the Gambia, studied at the London School of Economics, and she now lives in Kenya.{{cite web |url=https://www.topmba.com/mba-programs/executive/trium-global-emba-alumna-proves-women-africa-can-have-positive-impact-global |title= TRIUM Global EMBA Alumna Proves Women In Africa Can Have A Positive Impact On The Global Economy |first=Dawn |last=Bournand |date=2 June 2015 |publisher=QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited |access-date=8 May 2021}}
Forster's book tells the story of eighteen-year-old Ayodele and explores three paths her life could take. Ayodele is a Gambian schoolgirl entering adulthood. One path takes her to university in England, and another to polygamy and motherhood.
Reception
Owen Richardson, reviewing the novel in The Age, compared it to Philip Roth's The Counterlife.{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/books/reading-the-ceiling-20070728-ge5gh6.html |title=Reading the Ceiling |first=Owen |last=Richardson |date=28 July 2007 |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |access-date=29 April 2021}} A reviewer for The Point praised Forster's use of local terminology and accurate portrayal of Gambian society, especially regarding the roles of women.{{cite news |url=https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/reading-the-ceiling |title=Reading The Ceiling |newspaper=The Point |location=Bakau |date=16 May 2008 |access-date=8 May 2021}}
In 2007, Reading the Ceiling was shortlisted for a Commonwealth Writers' Prize.{{cite web |url=https://www.deanstreetpress.co.uk/pages/author_page/24 |title=Dayo Forster |publisher=Dean Street Press |access-date=8 May 2021}} In 2019, the novel was one of The New York Times{{'}} travel selections, "52 Books for 52 Places"/{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/books/52-books-for-52-places.html |title=52 Books for 52 Places |newspaper=The New York Times |date=14 February 2019 |access-date=8 May 2021}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official site|https://www.dayoforster.co.uk/|Author's website}}
Category:Novels set in the Gambia
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