LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
November 2023 Debut of the Month
Ablaze with authentic truths on the nature of grief, and how it is to live between two cultures, Blessing Musariri’s All That It Ever Meant sweeps readers into the heart-breaking, stirring story of a girl’s journey through loss. A journey that takes her from London to Zimbabwe, from darkness to light, with a spirit guide helping her navigate the rocky path.
“When someone dies, it’s the death of everything the way you knew it. The Death stains everything and there’s no washing it out. I was struck dumb. Nothing was real to me anymore.” This is how 14-year-old Mati feels when her mother dies. Similarly, without his wife, her Baba was “drifting” and “failing”, and so Baba, Mati and her two siblings travel to Zimbabwe.
During the family’s road-trip, Mati is visited by Meticais, a wise, charismatic spirit who appears in gloriously flamboyant outfits —“they are kind of old in the face and I can’t tell if they are a man or a woman”. Through their encounters and conversations, Meticais gently steers Mati through her grief and pain to come to a clearer understanding of her emotions and to see a way through the darkness. At once subtle and powerful, this speaks to truths of the human heart with beauty and a pitch-perfect voice.
Joanne Owen
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About
All That It Ever Meant Synopsis
Mati’s family is reeling from the death of Mati’s mother. Her Baba has drawn into himself, her sister Chichi is rebelling, and her young brother Tana is desperate for love and normalcy.When Chichi pulls her worst stunt yet, Baba uproots the family from their home in England for an extended camping holiday in their native Zimbabwe. Along for the trip is Meticais, a fabulously attired gender-neutral spirit—or ghost? or imaginary friend?—who only Mati can see and converse with. Guided by Meticais’s enigmatic advice and wisdom, Mati must come to terms with her grief and with the difficulty of living between two cultures, while the family must learn to forge their way in a world without their monumental mother.Full of captivating characters and stunning plot twists, All That It Ever Meant delivers a nuanced and unforgettable story of grief, love, and family.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781324030959 |
| Publication date: |
13th January 2023 |
| Author: |
Blessing Musariri |
| Illustrator: |
Godwin Akpan |
| Publisher: |
WW Norton & Co |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
192 pages |
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Press Reviews
Blessing Musariri Press Reviews
‘Full of captivating characters, this title delivers a nuanced story of grief, love and family.’ - The Bookseller
'A stunning, heartbreaking twist at the end will have readers turning back the pages to immediately reread this remarkable novel. An inventive, exquisitely written story of family, love, and loss.' - Kirkus, starred review
'Musariri explores belonging, grief, and love in this powerful homage to family set against an intricately detailed backdrop.' - Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
'A gorgeous, richly rewarding novel for thoughtful readers.' - School Library Journal, Starred Review
'Musariri spins a tale with characters and narrative so interesting that rereading this brief outing is a near certainty; hand this to teens eager to delve into the difficult (and sometimes darkly humorous) parts of life.' - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
'Sensitive and beautiful, All That It Ever Meant is a lyrical and compelling observation of family, grief, and love.' - Clara Kumagai, author of Catfish Rolling
Author
About Blessing Musariri
Blessing Musariri is an award-winning author of short stories, children's stories, radio and screenplays, and contemporary adult fiction. Her work has also been published by the Guardian, Granta, and Poetry International. Blessing lives in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Photo copyright Lincoln Mandengu
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