The Narcissism of Small Differences: A Must-Read Novel About the Perils of Identity

Aminatta Forna's The Narcissism of Small Differences is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the complex and often fraught relationships between people of different cultures. Set in a small village in Sierra Leone, the novel follows the lives of two families, one white and one black, as they navigate the challenges of living in a post-colonial world.

The Narcissism of Small Differences: A Novel

by Michael Zadoorian

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2340 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	263 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The novel's title is taken from a quote by Sigmund Freud, who argued that "the narcissism of small differences" is a psychological phenomenon that leads people to exaggerate the differences between themselves and others. This phenomenon, Freud believed, can lead to conflict and violence.

In The Narcissism of Small Differences, Forna explores the ways in which this phenomenon plays out in the lives of her characters. The white family, the Hazards, is new to the village, and they are eager to fit in. However, they soon find that their efforts are met with resistance from the black family, the Kamaras. The Kamaras are suspicious of the Hazards' motives, and they are determined to protect their way of life.

As the novel progresses, the tensions between the two families escalate. The Hazards begin to see the Kamaras as backward and uncivilized, while the Kamaras view the Hazards as arrogant and condescending. These misunderstandings lead to a series of conflicts, both large and small.

Ultimately, The Narcissism of Small Differences is a novel about the dangers of prejudice and intolerance. It is a reminder that we must be careful not to let our differences divide us. We must learn to see each other as human beings, and we must work together to build a more just and equitable world.

Praise for The Narcissism of Small Differences

"A powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the complex and often fraught relationships between people of different cultures." —The New York Times

"A beautifully written and deeply moving novel that will stay with you long after you finish it." —The Washington Post

"A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of living in a diverse world." —The Guardian

About the Author

Aminatta Forna is a Sierra Leonean-Scottish writer. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1964, and she grew up in Sierra Leone. She has written four novels, including The Hired Man (2001),The Memory of Love (2010),and The Girl from the North Country (2013). Her work has been translated into more than 30 languages.

Forna is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a Member of the Free Download of the British Empire (MBE). She lives in London with her husband and two children.

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The Narcissism of Small Differences: A Novel

by Michael Zadoorian

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2340 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	263 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE