Ghostroots is a collection of short stories by Nigerian writer 'Pemi Aguda. It was published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2024. In her debut collection, Aguda reimagines the city of Lagos, full of chaos and the supernatural, in twelve gripping stories.
In "Manifest", a young woman is driven to commit heinous crimes after reading troubling headlines in the local newspapers. The dailies portray a city riddled with rampant violence and insecurity. In "Breastmilk", a pregnant woman is conflicted about giving birth because her husband has been having an affair. When she finally gives birth, she is conspicuously unable to lactate. In "The Hollow", an architect is dumbfounded when she discovers a building that defies reality. She begins to spiral, questioning everything around her. "Breastmilk" and "The Hollow" were awarded the 2022 and 2023 O' Henry Prize, respectively.
Grassroots exposes a diverse African city full of culture but riddled with chaos, influenced by supernatural forces of good and evil. Crime is rampant, and the people have lost hope. The government has failed in its mandate to deliver services to the people. Religious leaders have turned into scammers. There is extreme poverty, while the wealthy are hoarding all essential resources. Aguda critiques the failing social structures that have brought this city to the brink of collapse. The people will seek help from supernatural forces, but the results will only make things harder for them.
