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Diriye Osman

Fairytales for Lost Children Paperback – 1 Sept. 2013

by Diriye Osman (Author)

4.3 69 ratings

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FAIRYTALES FOR LOST CHILDREN is narrated by people constantly on the
verge of self-revelation. These characters - young, gay and lesbian
Somalis - must navigate the complexities of family, identity and the
immigrant experience as they tumble towards freedom. Set in Kenya,
Somalia and South London, these stories are imbued with pathos,
passion and linguistic playfulness, marking the arrival of a singular
new voice in contemporary fiction.

Praise for FAIRYTALES FOR LOST CHILDREN:

'Fantastic writing. I am most highly impressed. I've read some of the
stories more than once and saw in each of them plenty of talent
everywhere - in every sinew and vein.'

- NURUDDIN FARAH'

There is nothing more humbling than good writing except when the
author is fiercely beautiful and ferociously generous of heart. That
Diriye Osman should possess so much talent is only fair in light of
his goodness. Read this book.'

- MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO'

The characters in these fairy tales are displaced in multiple,
complicated ways. But Osman's storytelling creates a shelter for them;
a warm place which is both real and imaginary, in which they find
political, sexual, and ultimately psychic liberation.'

- ALISON BECHDEL

'East Africa.South London. Queer. Displaced. Mentally Ill. My
excitement over Osman and his writing comes, in part, out of delight
at the impossibility of categorisation.'

- ELLAH ALLFREY, The Telegraph

Print length

174 pages
Language

English
Publisher

angelica entertainment ltd
Publication date

1 Sept. 2013
Dimensions

12.7 x 1.02 x 20.32 cm
ISBN-10

0956971946
ISBN-13

978-0956971944
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ angelica entertainment ltd (1 Sept. 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 174 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0956971946
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0956971944
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.7 x 1.02 x 20.32 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 527,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 20,564 in Short Stories (Books)
- 22,618 in LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction (Books)
- 38,422 in Women Writers & Fiction

Customer reviews:
4.3 69 ratings

About the author

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Diriye Osman

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Diriye Osman is a British-Somali short story writer, essayist, critic and visual artist. His writing has appeared in 'The Guardian', 'Time Out', 'The Huffington Post', 'Vice', 'Attitude', 'Prospect', 'Poetry Review', 'AfroPunk', 'Kwani?', 'Jungle Jim', 'Under The Influence' and 'SCARF Magazine'. His critically-acclaimed debut 'Fairytales For Lost Children' (Team Angelica Press) won the 2014 Polari First Book Prize and was named one of the best books of the year by 'The Guardian'.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

69 global ratings

5 star		67%
4 star		12%
3 star		11%
2 star		4%
1 star		6%

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

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Bahareh

Fantastic book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 28 March 2014

Verified Purchase

I love this bold, honest, intimate and magical collection of stories. Osman paints a very different picture of Africa and Somalis unknown to many. These short stories whether based in South London, Kenya or Somalia, whether gritty, uplifting or complicated, reach intimacy with emotional highs and lows in such a short period of time.

However intense the conditions of the characters might be, the author manages to express this in a beautiful way yet not underestimating the complicated and intense nature of the stories and the characters.

Osman’s melodic and beautifully crafted words, take you into a short but deeply emotional journey. While it is very rare to read from the point of view of Somali characters, these stories go beyond one culture. They bring an insight to the issues and struggle that many people from other cultures are facing for the similar reasons. Parts of this book take you to an Africa unseen and untold. A beautiful read.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

granny smith

Read for a book group

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 18 January 2014

Verified Purchase

not my personal choice - it's very well-written but too much overt and almost pornographic sex. The oain of gay Africans from a homophobic background is very real. I know Peckham and enjoyed recognising venues. My objection is not homophobic, I simply don't enjoy spectator sport of any kind! there is more than a suggestion of autobiography and less repetition of erotic extremes might have gained more of my sympathy. .

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Adam Hargreaves

Perfectly Imperfect

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 8 March 2016

Verified Purchase

The writing in this collection is a tad patchy, elegant prose mixed with some more awkward rhythms, but I think that that adds to Osman's charm. He isn't neatly polished to perfection, nor are his characters, and there would be something quite trite if he wrote so perfectly about the troubles and tribulations of the LGBT+ people of colour who form the dramatis personae of this book.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amy Ashenden

ADORED so many of these stories

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 6 April 2018

Verified Purchase

This is such a unique book, I ADORED so many of these stories and some still stay with me years later. Never come across a book like it since, it's really a wonderful read.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

R Agascar

Not worth the money

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 9 March 2014

Verified Purchase

The story-telling is poor and lacking in style, particularly in the early stories. The latter, more auto-biographical, stories have rather more depth and interest; but still not great. There is a sense that the stories were deemed 'worthy' of publication just because of the path taken by the writer in getting to that point. Not a good enough reason for committing to print, particularly in view of the high cost of purchase. Our book group rated it very low.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Tawanda Mhindurwa

This was a great book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 30 July 2014

Verified Purchase

This was a great book!! Diriye has a great voice and great stories. I recommend this book for everyone who enjoys reading!

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

sashaknits

making it the best kind of present

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 27 February 2017

This short story collection was a Christmas present which I don't think I would have bought for myself, making it the best kind of present. The stories all feature young LGBT characters trying to find their way in the world, but also intersecting with issues of race, religion, being a refugee, mental health and more besides.

Not all the stories were stand-out for me. Some were hopeful, some were sad, but they were all evocative and moving.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Mim

Fairytales for Lost Children is unputdownable.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 31 January 2014

The individual tales are each rich in vivid scenery with exciting and very moving character studies.
This author has a wonderful use of language giving honest and real accounts of love, sex, passion, loss, heartache and mental illness peppered with well placed rhythm, slang, colloquialisms and poetry.
I felt transported by each of these stories; straight into the lives of these characters following their hopes, dreams and struggles so intensely. To achieve such a standard in short story form is a true skill. Great book, highly recommend.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

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Fairytales for Lost Children Paperback – 1 Sept. 2013

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Diriye Osman

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