100% NZ-owned | 80,000+ Books In NZ 📚

Today Only: 20% Off When You Buy 2+ Stationery Items! 🎨

Moses Ascending

By Sam Selvon
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.46 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 312 ratings, 29 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Moses Ascending by Sam Selvon is a rich narrative set in London, following the escapades of Moses Aloetta, a former Trinidadian construction worker who becomes the landlord of a decrepit building. The story delves into the complexities of power dynamics and identity as Moses navigates his new responsibilities, often with misguided ambitions. Through humour and wit, the book explores themes of immigration, race, and cultural displacement amidst the backdrop of 1970s Britain.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Moses Ascending. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy humorous and satirical narratives exploring themes of immigration and identity. Set in London, it follows an immigrant's ambitious yet often misguided efforts to climb the social ladder. The author's witty writing makes it a delightful read for those who appreciate a blend of comedy and social commentary.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Moses Ascending

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An uproarious exploration of Caribbean immigrant experience from one of the great writers of the twentieth century.

Moses thinks he's got it made. Originally a poor Caribbean immigrant, he is now the proud landlord of a ramshackle house in Shepherd's Bush, London. He has visions of being master of his own domain, writing his memoirs while his trusty sidekick and handyman, Bob, does all the work. But Moses' problems are far from over...

Soon a Black Power group takes over the basement, headed by the indomitable - but very sexy - Brenda, and an illegal people-smuggling ring is discovered upstairs. Not to mention harassment from racist police, sheep-slaughtering in the backyard, and a Black Panther (the human kind) on the loose.

Will Moses' elaborately constructed castle in the air be demolished by these unruly forces?

Following the fortunes of characters from Selvon's The Lonely Londoners, Moses Ascending is a hilarious and telling depiction of 1970s Britain.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

View all

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241504390

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Hari Kunzru

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 157g

Pages: 208

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Sam Selvon Series: Penguin Modern Classics

About the Author

Sam Selvon (Author) Sam Selvon was born in San Fernando (Trinidad) in 1923 and worked in his homeland as a wireless operator and reporter. In 1950 he left Trinidad for the UK, where he established himself as a writer with A Brighter Sun (1952). Many other books followed, including his best-known novel, The Lonely Londoners (1956), and its two sequels, Moses Ascending (1975) and Moses Migrating (1983). He moved to Canada in the late 1970s and died in 1994. Hari Kunzru (Introducer) Hari Kunzru is the author of the novels The Impressionist, Transmission, My Revolutions and Gods Without Men, and the story collection Noise. He lives in New York and his next novel, White Tears, will be published by Hamish Hamilton in spring 2017.

Also by Sam Selvon

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.