Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Length: 400 pages
Audiobook Length: 12 hours and 14 minutes
First Published: 2016
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Publisher’s Description
Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem, has come to the United States to provide a better life for himself, his wife, Neni, and their six-year-old son. In the fall of 2007, Jende can hardly believe his luck when he lands a job as a chauffeur for Clark Edwards, a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. Clark demands punctuality, discretion, and loyalty—and Jende is eager to please. Clark’s wife, Cindy, even offers Neni temporary work at the Edwardses’ summer home in the Hamptons. With these opportunities, Jende and Neni can at last gain a foothold in America and imagine a brighter future.
However, the world of great power and privilege conceals troubling secrets, and soon Jende and Neni notice cracks in their employers’ façades.
When the financial world is rocked by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Jongas are desperate to keep Jende’s job—even as their marriage threatens to fall apart. As all four lives are dramatically upended, Jende and Neni are forced to make an impossible choice.
Quotes from Behold the Dreamers
Our people say no condition is permanent, Mr. Edwards. Good times must come to an end, just like bad times, whether we want it or not.
The Universe gives us different sources of Love to unite us all as One. Who are we to decide what the source of our Love should be at any given time? Love is Love, and at any given point we have everything we need.
I don’t know if I can continue suffering like this just because I want to live in America.
Don’t worry about things that might never happen.
About Imbolo Mbue
imbolo Mbue is the author of the bestselling novel Behold the Dreamers. Born in Cameroon, she currently lives in New York City. Visit the author’s website →
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