The Strange Man

Amu Djoleto's debut novel, The Strange Man, tells the comedic tale of Old Mensa and his troubled childhood in 1960s Ghana. Bold and rebellious ever since he was a boy, Mensa knows what it's like to be on the wrong side of the teacher's caning stick - and he is determined to save his children from the same fate.

An infamous member of his community, Old Mensa's ability to speak freely and tell it how it really is has earned him many a friend and foe over the years.

Looking back on his life, Mensa recounts moments in his early years when his sharp tongue led him into trouble and his knack for mischief pulled him into wild misadventures - the most memorable involving a very disgruntled goat. But his childhood battle against tyrannical teachers and corrupt church members takes on new meaning when he discovers his daughter is facing the very same cruelty he faced years ago.

Writing with a deep sense of humour and wit, Djoleto shrewdly explores the role of religion, parenting, and teaching in 1960s Ghana.