Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Devil that Danced on the Water
Biography & Memoir· Sierra Leone

The Devil that Danced on the Water

by Aminatta Forna
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
#136,752of 99,608 books
Published 2002English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

The Devil that Danced on the Water by Aminatta Forna is a landmark work of biography & memoir, first published in 2002. Aminatta Forna's memoir is a profound exploration of her father's life and the political turmoil in Sierra Leone. Through personal narrative and historical context, Forna delves into the events leading to her father's execution, offering a poignant insight into the country's complex political landscape. The book is both a personal journey and a broader commentary on justice and familial bonds. Themes of political turmoil, family legacy, justice run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAminatta Forna
Published2002
Country of Origin🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
LanguageEnglish
Category✍️ Biography & Memoir
ISBN9780802140243
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

✍️ Biography & Memoir

True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

Explore all Biography & Memoir books →
Country of Origin

🇸🇱 Sierra Leone

This book is part of Sierra Leone's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Sierra Leone →

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
notable · global
20020
✍️
About the Author
Aminatta Forna
Sierra Leone
View Author →
The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
literary-fiction

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

Ocean Vuong· 2019
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between
biography-memoir

The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between

Hisham Matar· 2016
★Pulitzer Prize
Editorial Score91/100
Cover of Orange Is the New Black
biography-memoir

Orange Is the New Black

Piper Kerman· 2010
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster
biography-memoir

Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

Svetlana Alexievich· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score89/100
Cover of Unbowed: A Memoir
biography-memoir

Unbowed: A Memoir

Wangari Maathai· 2006
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score78/100
Cover of Schindler's Ark
biography-memoir

Schindler's Ark

Thomas Keneally· 1982
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score76/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Devil that Danced on the Water about?

Aminatta Forna's memoir is a profound exploration of her father's life and the political turmoil in Sierra Leone. Through personal narrative and historical context, Forna delves into the events leading to her father's execution, offering a poignant insight into the country's complex political landscape. The book is both a personal journey and a broader commentary on justice and familial bonds.

Who wrote The Devil that Danced on the Water?

The Devil that Danced on the Water was written by Aminatta Forna, from Sierra Leone. First published in 2002.

What awards has The Devil that Danced on the Water won?

The Devil that Danced on the Water has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Devil that Danced on the Water worth reading?

The Devil that Danced on the Water is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in political turmoil, family legacy, justice.

Where can I buy The Devil that Danced on the Water?

You can buy The Devil that Danced on the Water on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Devil that Danced on the Water?

The Devil that Danced on the Water is classified as Biography & Memoir. True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

What country is The Devil that Danced on the Water from?

The Devil that Danced on the Water originates from Sierra Leone's literary tradition. Explore more books from Sierra Leone on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

✍️More Biography & MemoirBrowse all Biography & Memoir books🇸🇱Books from Sierra Leone🇸🇱 Sierra Leone literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time