Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman
A Powerful Coming-of-Age Tale on Urban Life & Innocence
Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman is a moving, humorous, and heartbreaking novel told through the unforgettable voice of Harrison Opoku, an eleven-year-old Ghanaian boy living on a tough London estate. When a boy is murdered outside his building, Harri part detective, part dreamer sets out to solve the crime, navigating a world filled with gang violence, friendship, faith, and fierce imagination.
Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, this debut novel captures the voice of youth in a world marked by poverty and peril, blending dark themes with warmth and unexpected humor.
Book Bundle
Perfect for fans of Room, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Boy A ideal for readers drawn to child narrators, urban realism, and social commentary.
Why Pigeon English is a Must-Read:
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Distinctive Voice: Harri’s narrative is both innocent and profound.
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Urban Grit Meets Imagination: Balances harsh reality with youthful curiosity.
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Topical Themes: Tackles immigration, violence, and class with empathy.
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Critically Acclaimed: Shortlisted for major awards and widely praised.
Memorable Quote (from the book)
"You could see the whole world from up there. It made me feel bigger than I was."
Translation (Sinhala):
"ඔයාට එතනින් මුළු ලෝකයම දැකිය හැකියි. එය මට මම වඩා විශාල කියලා හැඟුන."
Translation (Tamil):
"அங்கிருந்து முழு உலகத்தையும் காணலாம். அது என்னை பெரியவனாக உணர வைத்தது."
Availability at Booxworm.lk
You can order Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman online from Booxworm.lk or visit our Colombo store to experience a story that is at once tragic, funny, and full of life.
Physical Store Location:
180, W.A. Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka
+94 768 46 2551
Visit: www.booxworm.lk
About the Book
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Title: Pigeon English
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Author: Stephen Kelman
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ISBN: 9781408830312
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Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
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Published Year: 2011
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Number of Pages: ~288 Pages (Paperback)
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Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Coming-of-Age / Urban Fiction
