One for Sorrow, Two for Joy

On the surface, Stella's British-Ghanaian family home is full of life and happiness. But in reality, her life is governed by her bullying, cruel father and the family is in chaos. Stella looks for order wherever she can find it, creating a complex web of superstitions that she hopes will keep her safe, hunting out magpies every day, touching wood wherever she goes. The only place she is free from these rituals is with her cousins in Ghana. For a while, at least, her tactic seems to work as she navigates university, career and friendship. But old patterns begin to catch up with Stella, and she soon learns that magpies alone can't protect her from heartbreak and danger.
Immersive, heart-rending and defiant, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is a story of courage, endurance, and a young woman determined to thrive against the odds.

'A triumphant ode to resilience, friendship and love. Marie-Claire's writing sparkles, reminiscent of Adichie's Purple Hibiscus.'

-- Bisi Adjapon, author of The Teller of Secrets

'A vivid, deeply felt exploration of intergenerational trauma... Stella is an utterly unique heroine who you'll find yourself rooting for from page one.'

-- Angela Chadwick, author of XX

'A bittersweet rites-of-passage novel… [Amuah's] interrogation of trauma is powerful… A heartfelt debut.'

-- Observer
'In One for Sorrow, Two for Joy, Marie-Claire Amuah accomplishes an extraordinary rendering of the horror of domestic violence from the perspective of a nine-year-old child. Amuah's haunting story of the tragedy of violence is authentic, poignant and alive. This is an accomplished debut and I look forward to reading more from Marie-Claire.' -- Cherie Jones, author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

'Wow! One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is an evocative and gorgeously narrated story that broke my heart and stitched it back together again even stronger by the end. I laughed and cried and hurt and healed in the course of reading Stella's deeply-felt story. I loved this book so much. Intense and beautiful and heartbreaking!' 

-- Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder

'Brilliant. I loved it! One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is a rollercoaster of emotions throughout. I loved how the writing grew as Stella did. From the jump I felt invested and protective of Stella and all the Stellas out there! I got lost in it and couldn't put it down. Here’s to resilience and friendship!'

-- Jamz Supernova, BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ

'A dazzling debut...brimming with compassion.'

-- Damian Barr's Literary Salon, Book of the Week

'A beautiful, brave and deeply moving debut that explores the complexities of intergenerational trauma, belonging and love through a tender yet powerful voice. In One for Sorrow, Two for Joy, Amuah has crafted an important and sweeping story with skill and compassion. Stella, as well as her friends and family, will stay with me for a long time.'

-- Sussie Anie, author of To Fill a Yellow House

'This is a beautifully written account of domestic violence and intergenerational trauma, and the resilience and hope that can break its power.'

-- Debut Digest, Editor's Pick

'There are so many words to describe this beautiful book, and on reflection, one of them is 'generous'. It's such a generous, sometimes painful portrayal of a beautiful soul. I really enjoyed it and Stella is definitely still with me.'

-- Jeffrey Boakye, author of I Heard What You Said

‘Stella is caught between an abusive home life and a cold-hearted world. The story chronicles her struggle, growth, and fight for survival.’

-- Brittle Paper, '100 Notable African Books of 2022'

Marie-Claire Amuah is a British-Ghanaian barrister, based in London. She works in private prosecutions and specialises in white collar crime. When she isn’t writing, or practising law, she can be found walking her dog, practising yoga, or spending time with friends.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.