What a beautiful, hopeful but heart-breaking testament this book is to the lost, stolen, displaced and exploited among us. The story of what the self-serving and privileged of many a wealthy nation throughout history have done to primitive cultures in the name of charity.

1903: Dikembe is an 11 year old African boy whose desperate mother allows a rich white stranger to take her child ‘to a better life’ to escape the horrendous abuse being inflicted upon their people.

1993: 30 year old Lowra has inherited the house she grew up in now that her hated step-mother has died.
What joins these two across time, is the attic in this house in which they had been imprisoned.

Told from both characters’ perspectives, we follow their stories as Lowra gradually unravels the story of the mysterious items she finds hidden in the attic before she sells the house that holds so many horrible memories for her.
I couldn’t put this down. Such an absorbing and powerful story. Please read the author’s acknowledgements as they give a great insight into the background of this book.

Lola has definitely given “the lion a voice”.

This book typifies historical fiction because it tells the story that history has ignored; the story of the dispossessed, the displaced, the forgotten and forsaken and it tells it brillantly. The effect is stunning and captivating and the hero of this story stands for a generation who have suffered and sometimes soared above and despite the adversity they have encountered. Colonialism is the villain here and its effort to cast itself as heroic is laid bare as a self-serving lie. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate this novel for its fresh perspective, uncorrupted by power.

This is a very powerful story about two children separated by time but brought together trauma. This book sheds light on the atrocities that the British empire and the English did to people from Africa that me and I imagine a lot of people were mostly unaware of. This is definitely a book that people should read but it's also a book that people should look into the trigger warnings for beforehand as it does deal with a lot of sensitive subjects.

Dikembe and Lowra, separated by 90 years but connected by history and an attic.
Moving from the Congo to England, it's a reflection on colonialism and loss, at the same time filled with hope.

I'm very intrigued by this novel, even though I can't place a finger on a single aspect that I enjoyed, I kept on reading.

From time to time a five star book comes along that captures your soul and you are left feeling bereft when it ends- this is one such book. This book is exquisitely written. I didn’t want to put it down and now I’ve finished it, I just want to read it all again.
Thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and the author for the opportunity to read the e-advance copy.

Brutal, heartbreakimg, powerful, resilient, love and lots of triggers. Told in two storylines, I enjoyed more the most recent one which was in the 90s.

Brilliant read, very thought provoking.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

As I sit here in pieces and with tears in my eyes I’m wondering how I can give this wonderful and powerful book the credit it deserves but I know I can’t because I don’t have enough words it truly is an amazing read.
I loved the characters and really did feel so much love for Dikembe Kabili and Lowra the journey both their lives took was incredibly sad at times but also completely uplifting and I lived and breathed every page.
I have to congratulate the author Lola Jaye for writing this stunning story with such emotion and empathy making it a book I will keep in my heart always.... I’m not easily reduced to tears but oh boy this one nearly broke me and I will never forget it.
I can say no more as I said I can’t praise the read enough, please don’t miss it it’s more than wonderful and deserves more than the 5 stars I can give.
My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.and

One of the most profound and emotive books I have ever read, this is one of those books that will stay with you for a very long time!

Despite Dikembe and Lowra being born generations apart they have a deep, heart-breaking connection that slowly unravels throughout the book.

This is a story of white privilege, colonialism, abuse and loss, whilst also brimming with hope, love and determination.

It's powerful, it's raw and in it's own right beautiful, I sobbed multiple times.

5 stars all round.

Dikembe and Lowra, 90 years apart, both end up in the same attic.
What is this place and why? And what is their connection?
Rotating chapters tell their heartfelt stories. Well written and perfectly paced.
This powerful novel speaks of survival, strength of character and love eventually.
A beautiful twist rounds up this impressive read.

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

The Attic Child by Lola Jaye is an important book about colonialism and how, although we might prefer to consider it as happening in the distant past, Britain and Europe's colonial history still impacts the present day. Jaye clearly shows how the oppressors dehumanised the native populations to provide justification for actions, whether those actions were 'well-intended' e.g. the removal of a little child from their family or openly designed to kill and intimidate. By focusing on a young boy, brought to England and forced to forget his past and adapt to English customs, Jaye highlights the cruelty and power imbalance of the era. I enjoyed the dual timelines of this novel although sometimes it felt as though Jaye changed perspectives a little too frequently-just as I was becoming emotionally invested in events, it would switch characters. However this is a very minor quibble!

This was a well-written and moving book that will stay in the memory for a long time!

Wow, what an amazing book.

The author has clearly done her research into this true story. The detail is amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about African slavery, woven into this beautiful story of Celestine.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, I would give it 10 stars if I could! I have read Lola Jaye before and her books are always lighthearted and funny. For somebody who writes that genre this book has been very sensitively and intuitively written. She mentioned that this is her longest book, and I’m glad it was so long because I didn’t want to stop reading it. I love the way that she has included a timehop element as well, with someone from the present day (Lowra) who has a reason to believe that she is descended from Celestine.

Please go out and buy this book!

One of the most moving and brilliant books I have read this year.
All I can say is read it. You won't be disappointed.

This is a tale of two stories linked together throughout time, each as heartbreaking as the other, but with a happy ending. There are elements of mystery as the reader tries to ascertain the link between our two main characters, and I found it very interesting the steps our heroine took to track down our hero’s story. Some of the bad things that happened, thinking particularly of what happened to our heroine, seemed a bit unlikely and extreme, however our hero’s story was quite believable sadly. This isn’t a quick read but definitely a worthwhile one I’m happy to recommend

Emotive and compelling, The Attic Child is a refreshing take on historical fiction, exploring the experience of a black child in early 1900s Britain. While it is a little overlong, I enjoyed the gradual unravelling of the mystery surrounding Dikembe's past. It's an area of postcolonial history I haven't seen covered that much in fiction, and Jaye really uses the dual narrative to her advantage in thoughtfully unpacking historical insights.

Smart and affecting, The Attic Child is an important read for exploring the ongoing traumatic legacy of our colonial past.

A really unique and fascinating novel. Its very sad and poignant too. The author note really shows just how the history some of us know little about has such an impact on everyone. The novel gives a voice to a lost boy from history. There's so much to like about this novel and I feel thankful that the author found this story and wanted to give a boy a voice. What a way to tell a story. Wonderful in so many ways although the book is hardhitting and dark at times. Well, it does go into the darkest recesses of our colonial past. This is a history lesson and an emotional ride in a novel. Expertly crafted and what a delivery!

I found this book so interesting and such a good read on such an emotive and horrific subject/era. It was so well written with a great storyline that was both uplifting in areas and completely heartbreaking and horrific in others, and welll developed, relatable and memorable characters. This book will stay with me for a long time.

At times this was brutal,and a little bit heart breaking,at others ,I felt like our bad guys were a bit over the top. Almost the pantomime villain.

There is so many awful things in this book,ranging from the Congo,to the treatment of children in England.

But there's also a lot of love and a lot of hope... these will be the things I remember it for I think.

I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of this book through NetGalley and WOW am I so thankful for the opportunity. This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. I study History and French at uni and am currently taking a module on postcolonial literature, in which I’ve recently read L’Enfant Noir by Camera Laye. The Attic Child provided further insight into the atrocities of colonialism and has really opened my eyes to a part of British history I was largely unaware of.

The book is set over multiple time periods, which would be confusing if not for the clear differentiation between said narratives. This review is spoiler-free, but the book follows the stories of two individuals who both found themselves locked in the same attic as children, decades apart. It’s a story of loss, abuse and hardship, but also a story of love, determination and family. It’s not an easy read, and there are awful things that happen, but it’s a book that I could not put down once I started it. I am so excited for it to be released, because I know that it’ll be loved by so many people.