We’re overjoyed to host author George Makana Clark at our bookstore. Join us as he presents his new novel The Wreckers. Leonor Galão will moderate a conversation on memory, identity, and storytelling. Together, we’ll dive into the world of The Wreckers to examine the scars of the transatlantic slave trade and the consequences of prolonged civil war in Angola.
About The Wreckers
Lisbon, 1954. In the Military History Archives, a mysterious figure steals the Last Will and Testament of Garoto Bárbaro de Castro—a list of thirteen bequests, and a record of Garoto’s remarkable life story. It is also a window onto the many other lives connected to his, including that of the archival thief: his descendent, Nuno Bárbaro de Castro.
After stealing Garoto’s Last Will and Testament, Nuno Bárbaro de Castro—artifact hunter, grave robber, fake veterinarian, and agent of Angolan Independence—sets off to hunt the listed artifacts, and begins to collect the distant relatives of those mentioned in the Will, even when they don’t want to be collected…
A centuries-spanning, darkly funny revenge drama, The Wreckers moves between Portugal, Angola, Cuba, and Louisiana’s ‘Angola’ prison to examine the scars of the transatlantic slave trade, and the consequences of prolonged civil war.
About the Author
George Makana Clark grew up in Zimbabwe. Having lived in Germany, Cuba, the Caribbean, South America, and the US, he now lives in Portugal. He taught Creative Writing, and African and Postcolonial Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for many years. Winner of an O. Henry Award and shortlisted for the Caine Prize, his work is included in The New Granta Book of the African Short Story. His debut novel, The Raw Man, was published in 2011.
About the Moderator
Leonor Galão is a host of a mothly Book Club on Memory & Identity, where she invites people to eplore how relics of the past shape our present selves.
"Since I learned how to read, I've been carrying a book with me; it's just how I've always moved through the world. I run @a_raposa_matreira_, a bookstagram where I share what I'm reading and talk about books across cultures. I've organised book clubs in Italy, and they taught me that nothing is as special as bonding over a book."
Register Your Free Ticket
The event is free to attend, but registration is mandatory. Please, register your free ticket, so we know how many of you to expect.
The Venue
Good Company Books is an independent English Bookstore in Lisbon. Born from our love of global literature and our Portuguese heritage, we are crafting a space for people of all backgrounds to gather and enjoy the best books, events, coffee, and wine. Find out more on our Instagram.
How To Find Us
By Metro: We're situated a 5-minute walk from the Campo Pequeno metro (Yellow line) and a 10-minute walk from the Alameda metro (Green & Red lines).
By Bus: There are many convenient bus options 2 blocks away from us on Avenida República, with the closest stop to our store being Campo Pequeno-Av. Republica.
By Bike: If you're using the Gira public bicycles, there is a docking station right across the street (#431 - Rua do Arco Cego / Av. Magalhães Lima).
By Car: There is a paid parking lot across the street, between Rua Arco do Cego and Rua Dona Filipa de Vilhena. Street parking is also available around the neighborhood.
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