Explore Nadia's Books
Nadia Maddy is a London-born, Sierra Leonean author known for her captivating blend of African folklore and speculative fiction. Inspired by her father, playwright Yulisa Amadu Maddy, she has dedicated her career to storytelling. Her works, including The Palm Oil Stain and Corpo Seco, delve into themes of resilience, identity, and the power of the human spirit.
The Palm Oil Stain
When a brutal attack tears her life apart, Shalimar must navigate a treacherous path to find love, redemption, and a way home. The Palm Oil Stain is a brutal tale of a woman's journey of love and survival. Set against the backdrop of the Rebel War in Sierra Leone, Shalimar escapes an attack on her village assisted by a South African mercenary the locals call Chameleon. Displaced in Freetown, Shalimar devises a plan to return home to locate her family while forging an unlikely relationship with Chameleon whose alcoholic abuse has left him bereft of any emotion. Shalimar soon learns her predicament was brought about by the betrayal of those close to her. Shalimar's decision to risk the wrath of the Rebels in the abandoned villages in order to find her family changes the course of her and Chameleon's life forever. The Palm Oil Stain is a deeply moving love story that relays the harsh reality of war, betrayal and redemption.
Themes: Resilience, the role of memory in healing, representation of women in war
"A powerful narrative that brings the unheard voices of war into the spotlight."
Corpo Seco
In Corpo Seco, Nadia Maddy weaves Brazilian mysticism with African folklore to create a spellbinding tale of speculative fiction. The story follows Faron haunted by the curse of the Corpo Seco—a restless, cursed spirit—confronting themes of identity, belonging, and the supernatural. This novel captivates with its eerie, immersive storytelling, transporting readers into a world where mythology and reality intertwine. Corpo Seco is a haunting exploration of the human psyche, reflecting on the ways we carry cultural and ancestral burdens.
Themes: Mysticism, cultural inheritance, supernatural encounters
"An unforgettable journey into the heart of African and Brazilian folklore—unsettling, poetic, and profound."
