I read Anie's novel slowly, savouring every delicate turn of language, every sentence which thrummed with emotion. Following Kwasi and Rupert through this novel was often heartbreaking, but left me hopeful too. Reading this was nothing short of a joy. * Caleb Azumah Nelson *
Deeply affecting and sensitively told, with a main character you will fall in love with, break your heart over, and fervently root for all the way to the last page, To Fill A Yellow House is a transporting and beautiful story that will stay with me for a long time. Original and tender, it is an exquisite, absorbing and buoyant story of vulnerability and companionship, the redemptive power of friendship, and the spaces we choose to belong. Sussie Anie is a master storyteller and readers will be thinking about and missing Kwasi long after the last triumphant page! * Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder *
Anie's skilful debut novel follows the development of an unlikely bond between a shopkeeper and a young boy in a hostile inner-city environment... it rings with such keen and resonant themes... Kwasi's voice is majestically narrated, folding in Anie's authorial drive with his own syncopated artistic sensitivity. -- Tom Conaghan * THE OBSERVER *
A thought-provoking and stunning debut. Kwasi will break your heart. * Karen Angelico, author of Everything We Are *
A gentle, thoughtful and moving meditation on London and what it means to belong. The characters have really stayed with me. * Sarah Butler, author of Ten Things I've Learnt About Love *
Stunning . . . a lyrical meditation on city life, creativity and loss, and the hope that can spring from an unlikely friendship. * Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child *
Gorgeous . . . Textured, beautiful, all-engaging characters, a wonderfully realised setting, glorious prose - To Fill A Yellow House left me all warm with hope. What a debut. * Rajasree Variyar, author of The Daughters of Madurai *
[An] evocative story of community and companionship. * THE I PAPER *
[A] vividly drawn and evocative debut novel. -- Sarra Manning * RED MAGAZINE *
A timely, unique and moving tale of inner city pressure. * BUZZ MAGAZINE *