In 1979, aged only seven, Monica Macias was sent from West Africa to the unfamiliar surroundings of North Korea by her father, the President of Equatorial Guinea, to be educated under the guardianship of his ally, Kim Il Sung.
Within months, her father was executed in a military coup; her mother became unreachable. Effectively orphaned, she and two siblings had to make their life in Pyongyang. At military boarding school, Monica learned to mix with older children, speak fluent Korean and handle weapons on training exercises. Reaching adulthood, she went in search of her roots. Spending time in Madrid, Malabo, New York, Seoul and finally London, at every step she had to reckon with others' perceptions of her adoptive homeland.
Optimistic yet unflinching, Monica’s astonishing and unique story challenges us to see the world through different eyes.
Don't miss this opportunity to meet the author and gain insights into her captivating storytelling, her inspirations and her writing process.
The event will take place at the Wolfson Suite, Western Bank Library.
More details/registration
See more details and register on the organiser's website.
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