A Country You Can Leave

A Novel

De: Asale Angel-Ajani

Narrado por: Amanda Cordner

"From page one, A Country You Can Leave is a riveting, exasperating, and deeply heartbreaking tale of mother-daughter strife and resilience."—Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Olga Dies Dreaming

A stunning debut novel following the turbulent relationship of a Black, biracial teen and her ferocious Russian mother, struggling to survive in the California desert.

When sixteen-year-old Lara and her fiery mother, Yevgenia, find themselves homeless again, the misnamed Oasis Mobile Estates is all they can afford. In this new community, where residents are down on their luck but rich in humor and escape plans, Lara navigates what it means to be the Black, biracial daughter of a Russian mother and begins to wonder what a life beyond Yevgenia’s orbit—insistence on reading only the right kind of books (Russian), having the right kind of relationships (casual, with lots of sex)—might look like.

Lara knows that something else lies beneath her mother’s fierce, independent spirit, but Yevgenia doesn't believe in sharing, least of all with her daughter. When a brutal attack exposes the cracks in their relationship, Lara and Yevgenia are forced to confront the family legacy of violence and the strain of inherited trauma on the bonds of their love.

A Country You Can Leave is a dazzling, sharp-witted story, suffused with yearning, as Lara and Yevgenia attempt to forge their own identities and thrive in a hostile land. Compelling and empathetic, wry and intimate, Asale Angel-Ajani's unforgettable debut novel examines the beauty and dangers of womanhood in multiracial America.

A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

©2023 Asale Angel-Ajani (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[A] piercing debut novel . . . In perceptive prose and wry dialogue, Angel-Ajani brings to life a mother and daughter trapped by their circumstances. This is exemplary."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A tour de force of character, and a captivating story to match. Vivid, tender and unflinching, I loved this journey. " —Ann-Marie MacDonald, author of Fayne

“A Country You Can Leave is an enthralling and heartfelt novel. In this striking debut, Asale Angel-Ajani’s phenomenal skills shine on every page. This book will leave you profoundly moved and feeling like you better understand the word loneliness.” —Sarah Jackson, author of A Bit Much

Blown away

The narration is incredible. But the story is just rich and full of gems! Smart but not full of itself. Deep and raw and honest but not pandering or performative. A truly gorgeous piece of literature.

loved❤️

A memorable book.... heavy at times but captured so perfectly. The narrator was perfect for this piece

Beautiful prose

I got this book out of curiosity and it’s become one of my favorite books! It’s so well written, so rich with metaphors and languages, so well told, I was just mesmerized by every line. What a talented writer Asale is! I hope she writes more. She delves into the psychology of what it is to be a black teenager (or mulatto) in white America. It also explains why being born with the right parents is a stepping stone in life. The main character, Lara, has a Russian white mother who is narcissistic at best. She learns a lot from her dysfunctional mom but mostly how to survive in a world that sucks. It’s sad but so well told that you can see that Lara will make it out all right. It’s a must read! Loved it! Will re read it.

The performer wasn’t great in that she couldn’t talk correctly in other languages. It was annoying! It’s so rich with Russian sayings and Spanish dialogue, and Italian cussing that you miss out by having such a bad pronunciation from someone who has no clue.