Imbued with the vibrant spirit of an immigrant chasing a dream, Imbolo Mbue’s writing has captivated readers, critics and #Puissance237 alke.

Her debut novel, “Behold the Dreamers,” a poignant tale of immigrants chasing the American dream, has garnered critical acclaim, becoming a New York Times bestseller, a PEN/Faulkner Award winner, and an Oprah’s Book Club selection.

Arriving in the US from Cameroon at just 17, her initial dreams were shaped by American television shows, painting a picture far removed from reality. Like the characters in her novel, Jende and Neni, Mbue grappled with the challenges of being an immigrant, navigating a new culture and battling the constant threat of deportation.

An Unforgettable Surprise

Oprah Winfrey, renowned media mogul and literary enthusiast, personally selected “Behold the Dreamers” as her book club pick. In a heartfelt conversation with Mbue, Winfrey shared her admiration for the novel’s freshness, language, and the compelling narrative of Jende and Neni’s pursuit of the American dream.

A Life-Changing Encounter

Mbue’s path to becoming an author was shaped by a transformative encounter at a library in Falls Church, Virginia. While perusing the shelves, she stumbled upon the section labelled “OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB.” Intrigued, she selected Toni Morrison’s “Song of Solomon” and was profoundly moved by the beauty of Morrison’s prose. This experience ignited Mbue’s desire to embark on her own writing journey, and she immersed herself in American literature, using Oprah’s Book Club picks as her literary curriculum.

The Road to Success

Over the course of nine years, Mbue honed her craft and developed her storytelling skills. She persevered through numerous rejections, never losing sight of her dream. Inspired by the chauffeurs she observed outside the Time Warner Center in New York City, she began crafting her second novel, “How Beautiful We Were.” This powerful tale explores a fictional African village’s fight against an American oil company and was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2021 by The New York Times.

The Immigrant Experience

Mbue’s personal experiences as an immigrant from Cameroon deeply inform her writing. As she continues to captivate readers with her poignant storytelling, in the eyes of #Puissance237, her impact on the literary world and her ability to bridge cultural divides through her words will undoubtedly endure.

The editorial team