The Old Drift
The Old Drift
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Brief
Beta576
Novel • Fiction
Zambia • 20th century, 21st century
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell weaves together the lives of three families over several generations in Zambia. The narrative explores themes of history, identity, and technology, blending magical realism with historical events. This ambitious novel begins with a colonial-era incident and expands to capture the transformations of a nation and its people.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Fantastical
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
8,651 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Namwali Serpell’s The Old Drift has been praised for its ambitious scope and inventive storytelling, blending historical fiction with magical realism. Critics commend its rich character development and exploration of Zambian history. However, some find its sprawling narrative challenging to follow and uneven pacing detracts from the experience. Overall, it's a bold literary endeavor.
Who Should Read The Old Drift?
A reader who would enjoy The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell likely appreciates multigenerational sagas that blend historical fiction with magical realism and sci-fi. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude or Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing would find this novel's narrative scope and inventive storytelling appealing.
8,651 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
576
Novel • Fiction
Zambia • 20th century, 21st century
2019
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!