My Name Is Why by Lemn Sissay - Bestselling Memoir - Non Fiction - Paperback Book

Details:
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781786892362
Publisher: Canongate Books

Overview
My Name Is Why is the searing, prize-winning memoir from acclaimed poet Lemn Sissay, tracing his journey from a childhood in foster care and children's homes to discovering the truth of his own identity. Blending official case files with his own recollections, Sissay lays bare a life shaped by institutional neglect, resilience, and the redemptive power of words. It is a story about race, belonging, and finding home, told with the honesty that has made Sissay one of Britain's most loved literary voices.

About the Book
At the age of seventeen, after a childhood spent with a foster family followed by six years moving through care homes, Norman Greenwood was finally given his birth certificate. Only then did he discover his real name was Lemn Sissay, and that he was British and Ethiopian. He also learned that his mother had spent his entire childhood pleading with the authorities for his safe return. My Name Is Why tells this extraordinary story in Sissay's own words, weaving personal memory with official documents and case notes kept about him by the very institutions responsible for his care. The result is a devastating, meticulously researched account of neglect and determination, misfortune and hope, cruelty and eventual triumph. Sissay reflects candidly on his childhood, self-expression, and what it means to be British, using his own experience to explore the care system, race, family, and the true meaning of home. Written with the lyricism and emotional power expected from one of the nation's best-loved poets, this is a moving, frank, and urgent memoir - the culmination of a life spent asking difficult questions, and a celebration of the redemptive power of creativity. It has been widely celebrated as a Sunday Times bestseller and award-winning work of non-fiction.

• Award-winning, number one bestselling memoir by a celebrated British poet
• Powerful first-hand account of the UK care system and the search for identity
• Blends personal memory with real official documents for unique authenticity
• Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and widely praised by critics
• Brand new paperback copy, perfect for gifting or your own bookshelf
• Ideal for readers of memoir, social history, and stories of resilience

About the Author
Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL, born 21 May 1967, is a British poet, author and broadcaster celebrated for his powerful, lyrical voice. He was the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics and served as Chancellor of the University of Manchester from 2015 to 2022. He later joined the Foundling Museum's board of trustees, having previously been appointed one of the museum's fellows. In 2019 he was awarded the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize, adding to a body of work that includes numerous acclaimed poetry collections and plays.

Why You'll Love This Memoir
Honest, unflinching, and beautifully written, My Name Is Why is a rare memoir that combines deeply personal storytelling with genuine documentary evidence, making it an unforgettable read for anyone interested in identity, resilience, and the human cost of institutional care.

Please Note: Cover shown is the UK edition; ISBN as listed corresponds to the exact UK paperback edition despatched.