A Coastline Is an Immeasurable Thing: A Memoir Across Three Continents

by Mary-Alice Daniel

Book Overview

A poetic coming-of-age memoir that probes the legacies and myths of family, race, and religion--from Nigeria to England to America

Mary-Alice Daniel's family moved from West Africa to England when she was a very young girl, leaving behind the vivid culture of her native land in the Nigerian savanna. They arrived to a blanched, cold world of prim suburbs and unfamiliar customs. So began her family's series of travels across...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062960040
• ISBN13: 9780062960047
• Release Date: November 2022
• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Poetic, thought provoking memoir

I'm drawn to story, especially the life stories of others. I also read to better understand the experiences of others. This book satisfied both of my preferences in a lovely way. In "A Coastline is an Immeasureable Thing," Mary-Alice Daniel interweaves history, geography, myth, and personal story in such a way as to make the reader ponder, reread, and reflect. Through honest, poetic writing, the author explores her origins and the complexities contained therein. She gives a window into her life in a way that is both beautiful to read and also demands thoughtful contemplation on the part of the reader. I come away from reading this book with a greater understanding of not only third culture kids, but also how origin stories are both complicated and hold immense worth. While I enjoyed reading this book and do not regret investing the time to do so, it was also a read that moved a bit slowly. I often felt it was not as much about the author as about her country of origin and its complexities, but this also made sense given the nature of the book. If you are looking for a traditional memoir full of personal story, this book is likely not for you. If, however, you are interested in exploring culture, identity, and origin through the lens of personal story, you won't be disappointed. *I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.*