My Name Is Why Paperback softback

My Name Is Why is a powerful memoir by Lemn Sissay, a British poet and playwright of Ethiopian heritage. The book tells the story of Sissay's childhood, which was marked by neglect and determination, misfortune and hope, cruelty and triumph.

Sissay was born in 1967 to an Ethiopian mother who came to England to study. Due to a series of unfortunate events, he ended up in the foster care system at a very young age. For years, he was shuffled from one foster home to another, never staying in any place long enough to feel like he belonged anywhere.

At the age of seventeen, Sissay was given his birth certificate and learned that his real name was not Norman Greenwood, but Lemn Sissay. He also discovered that his mother had been pleading for his safe return to her since his birth. This revelation sparked a journey of self-discovery and identity exploration that would shape the rest of Sissay's life.

My Name Is Why is more than just a personal memoir; it is also a commentary on the institutional care system, race, family, and the meaning of home. Sissay reflects on his experiences growing up in foster care, as well as his struggles with self-expression and Britishness. Throughout the book, he explores themes of neglect, cruelty, and triumph, while also highlighting the importance of hope and determination in overcoming adversity.

Overall, My Name Is Why is a poignant and inspiring read that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or struggled to find their place in the world.

The #1 Sunday Times bestseller and winner of the Indie Book Awards for Non-Fiction, "Extraordinary" (The Times), "Beautiful" (Dolly Alderton), "Shattering" (Observer), "Incredible" (Benjamin Zephaniah), "Unputdownable" (Sunday Times), and "Astounding" (Matt Haig) is a powerful memoir by Norman Greenwood. At the age of seventeen, after growing up in a foster family and spending six years in care homes, Norman received his birth certificate.