Celebrated writer and poet, Jumoke Verrisimo, discuss the complexities of fictionalising personal pain in fiction, idealisation of mothers in Yoruba culture, the infliction of emotional traumas on loved ones as coping strategy for much deeper unarticulated psychological distress, and her debut novel, A Small Silence - a quietly disturbing coded novel that humanises historically underserved communities in fiction while inviting the reader to explore the psycho-social implication of loneliness and isolation.

Read Brittle Paper's review here.

Songs referenced in the discussion: (listen to the playlist on Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube):

A Beautiful Imperfection – Asa

The Way I Feel – Asa

I am A Rock – Simon and Garfunkel

Gravity – John Meyer         

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – Nina Simone

Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers

Army Arrangement – Fela Kuti

Disturbia – Rihanna

This episode was recorded in partnership with Cassava Republic Press at Library - A members only club situated in central London. 

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