The Days of Afrekete begins with Liselle Belmont preparing for a dinner party. Her husband Winn, has lost his bid for the state legislature, and the party will be to thank his supporters. Even more awkward, Liselle thinks he might be arrested by the FBI during the party.  Liselle was never too excited about her husband‘s attempt at entering the political world but she’s also using this time to reflect on how the two of them have changed and grown apart during their marriage.

Across town, Selena Octave is trudging through the same day. Struggling with problems Liselle can’t even imagine, Selena is remembering the intense connection they shared years ago. 

Inspired by Mrs. Dalloway and Sula, as well as Audre Lorde's Zami, Asali
Solomon's The Days of Afrekete is a
subtle but rich look at two women and how time has changed them, but also a look at what hasn’t changed at their core. It is a gentle nudge to consider how even brief connections with other humans change us forever. It really is a beautiful novel, a small story about what happens when we grow apart from our truest self.