About the book
Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets
2018 Arab American Book Award Winner, Poetry
\"A taut debut collection of heartfelt poems.\"—Publishers Weekly
In her dedication Safia Elhillo writes, “The January Children are the generation born in Sudan under British occupation, where children were assigned birth years by height, all given the birth date January 1.” What follows is a deeply personal collection of poems that describe the experience of navigating the postcolonial world as a stranger in one’s own land.
The January Children depicts displacement and longing while also questioning accepted truths about geography, history, nationhood, and home. The poems mythologize family histories until they break open, using them to explore aspects of Sudan’s history of colonial occupation, dictatorship, and diaspora. Several of the poems speak to the late Egyptian singer Abdelhalim Hafez, who addressed many of his songs to the asmarani—an Arabic term of endearment for a brown-skinned or dark-skinned person. Elhillo explores Arabness and Africanness and the tensions generated by a hyphenated identity in those two worlds.
No longer content to accept manmade borders, Elhillo navigates a new and reimagined world. Maintaining a sense of wonder in multiple landscapes and mindscapes of perpetually shifting values, she leads the reader through a postcolonial narrative that is equally terrifying and tender, melancholy and defiant.
Editions of January Children
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780803295988
- EBook
- ISBN 9781496200075
- EBook
- ISBN 9781496200082
- EBook
- ISBN 9781496200099
Read an Excerpt
Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets
2018 Arab American Book Award Winner, Poetry
\"A taut debut collection of heartfelt poems.\"—Publishers Weekly
In her dedication Safia Elhillo writes, “The January Children are the generation born in Sudan under British occupation, where children were assigned birth years by height, all given the birth date January 1.” What follows is a deeply personal collection of poems that describe the experience of navigating the postcolonial world as a stranger in one’s own land.
The January Children depicts displacement and longing while also questioning accepted truths about geography, history, nationhood, and home. The poems mythologize family histories until they break open, using them to explore aspects of Sudan’s history of colonial occupation, dictatorship, and diaspora. Several of the poems speak to the late Egyptian singer Abdelhalim Hafez, who addressed many of his songs to the asmarani—an Arabic term of endearment for a brown-skinned or dark-skinned person. Elhillo explores Arabness and Africanness and the tensions generated by a hyphenated identity in those two worlds.
No longer content to accept manmade borders, Elhillo navigates a new and reimagined world. Maintaining a sense of wonder in multiple landscapes and mindscapes of perpetually shifting values, she leads the reader through a postcolonial narrative that is equally terrifying and tender, melancholy and defiant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is January Children about?
Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets
2018 Arab American Book Award Winner, Poetry
\"A taut debut collection of heartfelt poems.\"—Publishers Weekly
In her dedication Safia Elhillo writes, “The January Children are the generation born in Sudan under British occupation, where children were assigned birth years by height, all given the birth date January 1.” What follows is a deeply personal collection of poems that describe the experience of navigating the postcolonial world as a stranger in one’s own land.
The January Children depicts displacement and longing while also questioning accepted truths about geography, history, nationhood, and home. The poems mythologize family histories until they break open, using them to explore aspects of Sudan’s history of colonial occupation, dictatorship, and diaspora. Several of the poems speak to the late Egyptian singer Abdelhalim Hafez, who addressed many of his songs to the asmarani—an Arabic term of endearment for a brown-skinned or dark-skinned person. Elhillo explores Arabness and Africanness and the tensions generated by a hyphenated identity in those two worlds.
No longer content to accept manmade borders, Elhillo navigates a new and reimagined world. Maintaining a sense of wonder in multiple landscapes and mindscapes of perpetually shifting values, she leads the reader through a postcolonial narrative that is equally terrifying and tender, melancholy and defiant.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in January Children?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Poetry / Poems
Where can I read a sample of January Children?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780803295988
Is January Children part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series African Poetry Book
Who is/are the Author/s of the book January Children?
Safia Elhillo
Who is the Publisher of the book January Children?
Nebraska
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
January Children is available as paperback(ISBN 9780803295988) and ebook(ISBN 9781496200075) and ebook(ISBN 9781496200082) and ebook(ISBN 9781496200099)
Where can I buy January Children online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy January Children from below
Where can I buy January Children?