About the book
'Sad, sonorous, occasionally hilarious, an extraordinary first novel' Washington Post
'Striking . . . brings sexism and classism into equal focus' The Paris Review
Adah is a single mother of five, living in a dank, crumbling housing estate for 'problem families', avoiding the rats and rubbish. It's not quite the new start in London she had planned. As she navigates the complicated welfare system that keeps her trapped in poverty, can she cling to her dream of a better life, and find somewhere that feels like home?
Buchi Emecheta's scorching debut novel drew on her own experiences to paint a moving picture of hope, unexpected friendship, and survival.
In the Ditch joins The Joys of Motherhood and Second-Class Citizen in Penguin Modern Classics, with a bespoke cover design from Turner Prize-winning artist Chris Ofili.
'Buchi Emecheta was the foremother of black British women's writing' Bernardine Evaristo
Editions of In the Ditch
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241578124
- EBook
- ISBN 9781802060447
Read an Excerpt
'Sad, sonorous, occasionally hilarious, an extraordinary first novel' Washington Post
'Striking . . . brings sexism and classism into equal focus' The Paris Review
Adah is a single mother of five, living in a dank, crumbling housing estate for 'problem families', avoiding the rats and rubbish. It's not quite the new start in London she had planned. As she navigates the complicated welfare system that keeps her trapped in poverty, can she cling to her dream of a better life, and find somewhere that feels like home?
Buchi Emecheta's scorching debut novel drew on her own experiences to paint a moving picture of hope, unexpected friendship, and survival.
In the Ditch joins The Joys of Motherhood and Second-Class Citizen in Penguin Modern Classics, with a bespoke cover design from Turner Prize-winning artist Chris Ofili.
'Buchi Emecheta was the foremother of black British women's writing' Bernardine Evaristo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is In the Ditch about?
'Sad, sonorous, occasionally hilarious, an extraordinary first novel' Washington Post
'Striking . . . brings sexism and classism into equal focus' The Paris Review
Adah is a single mother of five, living in a dank, crumbling housing estate for 'problem families', avoiding the rats and rubbish. It's not quite the new start in London she had planned. As she navigates the complicated welfare system that keeps her trapped in poverty, can she cling to her dream of a better life, and find somewhere that feels like home?
Buchi Emecheta's scorching debut novel drew on her own experiences to paint a moving picture of hope, unexpected friendship, and survival.
In the Ditch joins The Joys of Motherhood and Second-Class Citizen in Penguin Modern Classics, with a bespoke cover design from Turner Prize-winning artist Chris Ofili.
'Buchi Emecheta was the foremother of black British women's writing' Bernardine Evaristo
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in In the Ditch?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of In the Ditch?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241578124
Who is/are the Author/s of the book In the Ditch?
Buchi Emecheta
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
In the Ditch is available as paperback(ISBN 9780241578124) and ebook(ISBN 9781802060447)
Where can I buy In the Ditch online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy In the Ditch from below
Where can I buy In the Ditch?