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Dreams from My Mother

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Dreams from My Mother

By: Dame Elizabeth Anionwu
Narrated by: Dame Elizabeth Anionwu
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About this listen

It's 1947, and a sheltered Catholic girl is studying classics at Newnham College, Cambridge. She is the first one in her family to go to university - and then she discovers that she's pregnant. The father is also a student at Cambridge, studying law. And he is Black.

Despite pressure to give up her baby for adoption, the young mother has big dreams for her child's future. Her daughter, Elizabeth, overcomes a background of shame, stigma and discrimination, to become one of the UK's greatest ever nurses and the first ever sickle-cell nurse specialist. Recently named a BBC 100 Women of the Year 2020 and awarded a damehood, Dame Elizabeth Anionwu has continued her work throughout her retirement and recently brought to the nation's attention how COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on Black and Asian communities.

Dreams from My Mother is an inspiring story about childhood, race, identity, family, friendship, hope and what makes us who we are. Ultimately, it is an incredibly moving story of a mother and a daughter separated by society, but united in the dreams they shared for her future.

Previously published as Mixed Blessings from a Cambridge Union, this is a revised and updated edition.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Dame Elizabeth Anionwu (P)2021 Seven Dials
History & Commentary Medical Medicine & Health Care Industry Professionals & Academics Women Dream Adoption

Critic reviews

"What a page turner of a book! Dame Elizabeth uncovers the layers of her life from a childhood defined by secrets, to discovering the identity of her father, to her political awakening, and her journey to becoming a Black health radical. She uses her 'bellyful of anger' to great effect, highlighting the ethnic health inequalities exposed by sickle cell disease right through to Covid-19. More than anything, her great sense of empathy and fun shine out from the page. I loved it." (Dua Lipa)

"This is a powerful and compelling story of dual heritage, how an Irish girl became a Nigerian woman, and how discovering a true and total sense of identity brought acceptance, peace and joy. This story will inspire many people who have Irish and African (and other) roots and should be read by all who are interested in the history and culture of those lands. It is a unique and deeply personal account of the triumph of character, spirit and endeavour in the face of much adversity and considerable bigotry, beautifully written with a complete absence of bitterness. I felt in equal measure humbled and privileged to read it. I never cry but the concluding reflection on the mother and daughter relationship made me cry unashamedly." (Patrick Gaul, chair, Liverpool Irish Centre)

"What a woman. What a book." (Lemn Sissay Obe, author of My Name Is Why)

All stars
Most relevant
Wow, what an amazing lady, loved hearing about her career, achievements and the impact that she had on communities as well as the health service. Really enjoyed her openness & insight to her early family life, dual heritage & being a single hardworking parent in London.

A beautiful read & what an amazing lady.

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I can imagine that if I was evading a hard copy I may not have been able to put down, but the Audioable version read by Dame Elizabeth herself was brilliant.

An incredible insight of a girl born out of wedlock to English/Nigerian parents post war with all the turmoil, interlocked with her inspirational nursing career made even more moving as read by Dame Elizabeth herself. throughly recommend.

Brilliant

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Elizabeth share this deeply personal reflection of her life - it’s a story of triumph over adversity. If you wish to be inspired and see what can be possible this is the book for you. It is also an historic account of life growing up as a dual heritage girl and finding identity & belonging. Dame Elizabeth is a living nursing icon

Amazing inspirational story

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This was particularly lovely hearing Dame Elizabeth read her own story.

The detail is fascinating and it is striking that through the many challenging situations Dame Elizabeth has been through, I found that those people in her life that could have been described with condemnation and bitterness, instead received a rare depth of compassion as Dame Elizabeth explored the circumstances they themselves were in that may have led to their actions.

Would very much recommend. There is so much in this book on so many levels I will be reflecting on it for months to come I'm sure!

Book Review

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Wonderful audiobook read by the author. Dame Elizabeth tells us about her childhood and her journey to becoming the UK's first sickle cell & thalassemia specialist nurse and one of the UK's leading black nurses.

Wonderful & thought provoking

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