The Color Line

August 15, 2022
Scego’s accomplished latest (after Adua) revolves around a young Chippewa Haitian American woman who uses the patronizing sponsorship of rich white women to create an independent life for herself as a painter. The narrative begins with Lafanu Brown’s assault by a mob in Rome in the late 19th century, in retaliation for the recent Dogali massacre in Africa, then jumps back to Lafanu’s adolescence among the Chippewa, her time as a student at the private Coberlin school, and her romance with Frederick Bailey, a character inspired by abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass. Then a patron gives her the chance to go to Italy, claiming that “only in Rome can one become a great artist.” Interspliced with Lafanu’s story is a chronicle of present-day Somali Italian art curator Leila, who, while putting together an exhibition of Lafanu’s work, is inspired by the artist’s determination. Leila also assists her cousin, Binti, as she attempts to leave Somalia, and later helps Binti recover from abuse by traffickers. Scego reins in the sprawling narrative with keen instincts for storytelling and foreshadowing. It adds up to an engrossing tale of ambition, survival, and love.

October 1, 2022

In this richly observed historical, Italian Somali novelist Scego (Adua) blends the real lives of activist Sarah Parker Remond and sculptor Edmonia Lewis--Black American women living in late-1800s Rome--to create a wholly original character in artist Lafanu Brown. Of Haitian Chippewa descent, Lafanu is taken from her family by the self-aggrandizing Bathsheba MacKenzie, whose plans to educate her are disrupted when Lafanu is badly beaten by a mob and thrown out of the elite school that considers her the problem. A private tutor encourages her artistic talents, a mentor insists on taking her to Rome, and Lafanu leaves behind the man she loves to launch a successful career. Standing before a fountain featuring four Moors in chains, she has an epiphany, as does university student Leila decades later on the same spot: Lafanu will paint the oppressed, while Leila--determined to "give others new eyes for seeing the world"--becomes an art curator championing Lafanu's work even as she assists a young cousin who has fled Somalia and fallen foul of human traffickers. VERDICT Fluid and refreshing, if occasionally slowed by detail, this work tells an important story.

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Starred review from September 1, 2022
Published in Italy in 2020, this lyrical novel explores the link between a uniquely talented artist and the researcher who seeks to bring her work to life. Wanting her new fianc� to understand her, celebrated painter Lafanu Brown sits down to write her history. Born in the mid-nineteenth century to a Chippewa mother and an African Haitian father, Lafanu impressed a rich white woman who sent her off to an elite college. But there, she confronted extreme trauma and hate. It was almost enough to keep her silent, but her art would not let her stay that way. Despite tough odds and great sacrifices, she made it to Italy, where she found success. In 2019, researcher Leila is preparing for an exhibition when she discovers Lafanu's work. Leila, an Italian of Somali origin, identifies with the painter and quickly becomes enraptured. Scego's writing is deft and agile; for instance, a battle scene is clipped and militant, Lafanu's scenes are rich and layered, and Leila's voice is clear and contemporary. The art of the story feels real and is central to each character's journey. Read the fascinating afterword for more on Scego's inspiration.

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