A terrific historical novel, The Bridgetower Sonata embraces a history of phenomenal progress in the arts, sciences, and politics, and confronts it with that one of the Black condition at the turn of the 19th century.

Book-alike: Libertie, Kaitlyn Greenidge (ed. Algonquin Books)

Emmanuel Dongala is an internationally acclaimed Congolese novelist and former chemistry professor at Bard College. He is the author of a number of award-winning books, including Little Boys Come from the Stars and Johnny Mad Dog, the latter of which was adapted into a movie in 2008. Dongala’s recent works include The Fire of Origins, Jazz and Palm Wine, and The Bridgetower Sonata: Sonata Mulattica.