Manny and the baby with Varaidzo
Join writer, editor and artist Varaidzo for a unique virtual event to celebrate the publication of her debut novel, Manny and the Baby.
London, 1936. Two sisters are ready to take the city and the world by storm.
Bath, 2012. Two young Black men are figuring out who they are, and who they want to become.
Manny Powell is forthright, intellectual, and determined to make her mark on the London literary scene. Her younger sister, Rita ‘The Baby’, just wants to dance. Chasing their dreams across smoky Soho jazz clubs, they soon find themselves part of the burgeoning Black ambition movement, and must learn how to navigate it as women.
Itai has fled London to his late father’s flat in Bath. Listening to cassette tapes his father made, he realises there is a lot he doesn’t know about the man’s life — who is Rita? Why did his father record her life story? And might she hold the answers to Itai’s questions?
Manny and the Baby is a character-driven debut novel, full of heart, about what it means to be Black and British, now and in the past. Varaidzo will be joined in conversation with a special guest, yet to be announced, as they discuss everything from writing dual narratives, to exploring complicated family relationships and the enduring power of love.
“An incredibly special writer, thoughtful and energetic, occasionally savage, wise beyond her years, with an eye and an ear for syntax that is masterful... Varaidzo is the future, and Manny and the Baby is a book for the ages.” Nikesh Shukla, author of The Good Immigrant
The ‘stream and book’ package includes a unique ticket for the stream, and a copy of Manny and the Baby (RRP £16.99) deliverable to any UK or international address.
The event will initially be broadcast on 18 April at 6.30pm UK time. It will be available to view up to two weeks after the event has ended and can be accessed Worldwide. If you live in a time zone that does not suit the initial broadcast time you can watch it at any point after the initial showing for two weeks.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]