Sad sonorous occasionally hilarious an extraordinary first novel Washington PostStriking brings sexism and classism into equal focus The Paris ReviewAdah is a single mother of five living in a dank crumbling housing estate for problem families avoiding the rats and rubbish Its 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 homeBuchi Emechetas scorching debut novel drew on her own experiences to paint a moving picture of hope unexpected friendship and survivalIn the Ditch joins The Joys of Motherhood and SecondClass Citizen in Penguin Modern Classics with a bespoke cover design from Turner Prizewinning artist Chris OfiliBuchi Emecheta was the foremother of black British womens writing Bernardine Evaristo
