Natasha Bowen | |
---|---|
Born | Cambridge, England |
Occupation | Writer, teacher |
Nationality | Nigerian Welsh |
Education | Bath Spa University |
Period | 2020–present |
Genre | Fantasy, Young Adult |
Notable works | Skin of the Sea |
Website | |
natashabowen |
Natasha Bowen is a Nigerian-Welsh writer and teacher. She writes fantasy books for young adults. [1] [2] She is best known for her New York Times Bestselling novel Skin of the Sea . [3] [4]
Natasha Bowen was born in Cambridge, England, to a Nigerian Yoruba father and a Welsh mother. She grew up in Cambridge with little exposure to her Nigerian heritage, with which she would later connect in life and use in writing her novel. [5] [6] She studied Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. After graduating, she moved to East London, where she became a teacher. [1]
Bowen has three children. She lives in the UK with her family. [1]
Bowen's debut novel Skin of the Sea , the first book in the Of Mermaid and Orisa series inspired by her Nigerian heritage, African folklore, Yoruba culture, and her love for mermaids, was published on 2 November 2021 by Random House. She wrote the novel while teaching full-time in a school. [2] [5]
The novel follows Simi, a Mami Wata who travels across sea and land in search of the Supreme Creator after breaking a law that threatens the existence of all Mami Wata. The book entered the New York Times [3] and Indie bestseller lists and received several positive reviews from book reviewers who praised the novel for its similarities with The Little Mermaid and the use of Black mermaids and Yoruba culture to show the Transatlantic Slave Trade. [7] [8] [9]
Of Mermaid and OrisaSeries
The Yoruba religion, West African Orisa (Òrìṣà), or Isese (Ìṣẹ̀ṣe), comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practice of the Yoruba people. Its homeland is in present-day Southwestern Nigeria, which comprises the majority of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Lagos States, as well as parts of Kogi state and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, commonly known as Yorubaland.
Nigerian literature may be roughly defined as the literary writing by citizens of the nation of Nigeria for Nigerian readers, addressing Nigerian issues. This encompasses writers in a number of languages, including not only English but Igbo, Urhobo, Yoruba, and in the northern part of the county Hausa and Nupe. More broadly, it includes British Nigerians, Nigerian Americans and other members of the African diaspora.
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Skin of the Sea is a 2021 young adult fantasy novel by Nigerian Welsh writer Natasha Bowen. Bowen's debut novel follows Simi, a mami wata who travels across sea and land in search of the Supreme Creator after breaking a law that threatens the existence of all mami wata.
The Gilded Ones is a 2021 young adult fantasy novel by Sierra Leonean American writer Namina Forna. Forna's debut novel was published on February 9, 2021, and quickly entered the New York Times Best Seller list and Indie Bestseller lists.
Blood Scion is a 2022 young adult fantasy novel by Nigerian Canadian writer Deborah Falaye. Falaye's debut novel, inspired by Nigerian and Yoruba mythology, was published on 8 March 2022 by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins as the first book in a planned series.
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