The impact of Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon
I throughly enjoyed reading the lonely Londoners. It made me reminisce about my time growing up in Lagos, Nigeria
I love how the author gives each character their own story for us the readers to follow on their journey.
As an immigrant myself, I felt I could relate to the character Moses , a Trinidad migrant who is feeling homesick & sees London as a place of survival rather than happiness. The numerous challenges an immigrant faces when coming to a new country. Trying to adapt to a culture that dislikes you, judges you, makes fun of you, makes you question your sanity or safety.
Get Wendy Oparah’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Reading the book made me reminisce on how we would go to the beach on some Sundays with my family, eat suya & ride a horse on the beach with our pictures being taken. Everyone was so friendly, welcoming & happy. Our innocence was still very intact.
It made me miss smell of fresh food cooked when you visit your Grandparents. A house filled with cousins, aunties & uncles.
I see why it is called the ‘Lonely Londoners’, as immigrants we are never safe. It’s just a facade that has been painted to show we are happy. In reality we all miss our motherland. Sometimes, I wish Nigeria wasn’t so corrupt because there truly is no place like home.
