Fairytales for Lost Children

FAIRYTALES FOR LOST CHILDREN is narrated by people constantly on the

verge of self-revelation. These characters - young, gay and lesbian

Somalis - must navigate the complexities of family, identity and the

immigrant experience as they tumble towards freedom. Set in Kenya,

Somalia and South London, these stories are imbued with pathos,

passion and linguistic playfulness, marking the arrival of a singular

new voice in contemporary fiction.



Praise for FAIRYTALES FOR LOST CHILDREN:



'Fantastic writing. I am most highly impressed. I've read some of the

stories more than once and saw in each of them plenty of talent

everywhere - in every sinew and vein.'

- NURUDDIN FARAH



'There is nothing more humbling than good writing except when the

author is fiercely beautiful and ferociously generous of heart. That

Diriye Osman should possess so much talent is only fair in light of

his goodness. Read this book.'

- MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO



-The characters in these fairy tales are displaced in multiple,

complicated ways. But Osman's storytelling creates a shelter for them;

a warm place which is both real and imaginary, in which they find

political, sexual, and ultimately psychic liberation.'



- ALISON BECHDEL



'East Africa. South London. Queer. Displaced. Mentally Ill. My

excitement over Osman and his writing comes, in part, out of delight

at the impossibility of categorisation.'

- ELLAH ALLFREY The Telegraph