Ethiopian-American author Dinaw Mengestu has earned a spot on the former U.S. President Barack Obama’s list of favorite books for 2024 with his novel, Someone Like Us.
Mengestu, known for works such as The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears and All Our Names, has consistently explored the intersections of personal and collective history, often drawing from the experiences of African immigrants navigating life in America. Someone Like Us is expected to carry forward his signature narrative style, weaving stories that resonate with both intimate and universal themes.
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1978, Dinaw Mengestu immigrated to the United States at the age of two, growing up in Peoria, Illinois. A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.A. in English, he later earned an M.F.A. in fiction from Columbia University. Mengestu’s writing explores themes of migration, identity, and the African immigrant experience, as seen in acclaimed works like The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears, How to Read the Air, and All Our Names.
In 2012, he was named a MacArthur Fellow, and in 2007, the National Book Foundation honored him as one of its “5 under 35” writers to watch. Mengestu’s journalism has also covered conflicts in Darfur and Northern Uganda. Currently, he serves as the Program Director of Written Arts at Bard College, continuing to shape conversations around literature and global narratives.
Published in July 2024, Someone Like Us follows Mamush, an Ethiopian-American journalist residing in Paris, who returns to his mother’s home in Virginia amid marital strife. Upon arrival, he discovers that Samuel, a father figure from his past, has died under mysterious circumstances. Mamush embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of Samuel’s life and death, delving into themes of identity, migration, and the complexities of the immigrant experience in America.
Obama’s annual book list has become a significant cultural moment, often sparking renewed interest in the authors and works he selects. For Mengestu, this recognition not only elevates his literary profile but also underscores the importance of African voices in global storytelling.
With this acknowledgment, Someone Like Us is poised to reach wider audiences, reinforcing Mengestu’s place as a vital voice in modern literature.
Congratulations Mengestu!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
