(Reviewed by JD Jung)
#CommissionsEarned
It’s the mid-1960s and an African American couple, Melvin and Bernadette are on the run. Melvin sees that their only chance is to flee the U.S. Back in college, Melvin saved the life of a Ghanian student who would later become the country’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Though Kwame promises not to forget Melvin’s act of selflessness, Melvin has not seen him in years. However, he believes that seeking asylum in Ghana as the only way out.
As the two begin their journey in Ghana, Bernadette reminisces how they got there, and we learn about their pasts and why they are on the run. They find themselves in constant danger as they try to make it to the Ghanian capitol. An Akan proverb, “If an animal will bite you, it will be from your cloth.” keeps coming into play.
A well-known musician with a mystic guitar assists them, but it proves problematic. He not only falls for Bernadette, but she finds a real connection to him. Add to that, an FBI agent is on their trail.
Folklore, magical realism, jealousy, revenge, and romance are intertwined in this engaging work of historical fiction. We learn about Ghanian history and culture with Western colonization and U.S. attempts to overthrow newly independent African governments. We also revisit American racism. The way the author structures the back and forth between the present and the past is easy to follow and keeps the reader engaged. The characters seem real, and even the supporting characters are fully fleshed.
The Scent of Burnt Flowers hooked me to the point that I read it in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down. There are plenty of twists that I didn’t see coming, and the ending is satisfying. A must-read!
