Behold the Dreamers

By: Imbolo Mbue

Narrated by: Prentice Onayem

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful and timely story of marriage, class, race and the pursuit of the American dream.

Behold the Dreamers is a dazzling debut novel about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - and of what we're prepared to sacrifice to hold on to each of them.

'We all do what we gotta do to become American, Abi.'

New York, 2007: a city of dreamers and strivers, where the newly arrived and the long established jostle alike for a place on the ladder of success. And Jende Jonga, who has come from Cameroon, has just set his foot on the first rung. Clark Edwards is a senior partner at Lehman Brothers bank. In need of a discrete and reliable chauffeur, he is too preoccupied to closely check the paperwork of his latest employee.

Jende's new job draws him; his wife, Neni; and their young son into the privileged orbit of the city's financial elite. And when Clark's wife, Cindy, offers Neni work and takes her into her confidence, the couple begin to believe that the land of opportunity might finally be opening up for them. But there are troubling cracks in their employers' facades, and when the deep fault lines running beneath the financial world are exposed, the Edwards' secrets threaten to spill out into the Jongas' lives.

Faced with the loss of all they have worked for, each couple must decide how far they will go in pursuit of their dreams - and what they are prepared to sacrifice along the way.

©2016 Imbolo Mbue (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"There are no heroes in this marvellous debut, only nuanced human beings. A classic tale with a surprise ending, as deeply insightful as it is delightfully entertaining." (Taiye Selasi)
"Imbolo Mbue would be a formidable storyteller anywhere, in any language. It's our good luck that she and her stories are American." (Jonathan Franzen)
"Realistic, tragic, and still remarkably kind to all its characters, this is a special book." ( Kirkus, Starred Review)
"A debut novel that illuminates the immigrant experience in America with the tenderhearted wisdom so lacking in our political discourse.... Mbue is a bright and captivating storyteller." ( Washington Post)
"Mbue writes with great confidence and warmth.... A capacious, big-hearted novel." ( New York Times Book Review)
"Warm and captivating." ( People)
"A heartfelt rumination on immigration, race, class, marriage, and hope." ( Buzzfeed)
"Imbolo Mbue's masterful debut about an immigrant family struggling to obtain the elusive American Dream in Harlem will have you feeling for each character from the moment you crack it open." ( In Style)
" Behold the Dreamers challenges us all to consider what it takes to make us genuinely content, and how long is too long to live with our dreams deferred." ( O: The Oprah Magazine)
"Reminiscent of Jonathan Franzen and Joyce Carol Oates...a finely nuanced examination of the American Dream." ( Sydney Morning Herald)

Relatable Read

Loved It! It told a story many never hear about and one that many experience

Great Listen

I finished this book in just two days. It's a great story and the narrator really brings it to life. It was written over 10 years ago but it seems as though the author knew what would be coming! Really glad I listened!

Loved it

Having lived as an immigrant in the US, I could totaly relate to this book. It brings out the struggle and frustration quiet clearly. Its well written and captivating. Kept me hooked to the end