Signed Complimentary Review copy provided by the author. This review reflects my honest opinions. (I love this job)
I did not know what to expect when I got a copy of Deportee, so I went in with curiosity rather than expectations. I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy from the author, but hey, don't close this page, stay with me. This is going to be an honest reflection. This is not an ad, lol. (Wanjiku Gitagia is not holding a gun to my head with an evil grin on her face. She's one of the sweetest humans you can meet.)
The paperback quality is superb, and trust me, with local books it's always hit or miss when it comes to print quality. Deportee is well done and doesn't feel like the pages will go flying as you flip through them, as if it were "view once" or rather, read once, in this case.
The cover art is simply genius. I love when book covers make sense as you read. You know that "Ooh!" moment when you have to go back and check the cover, saying, "That's why!"
The story follows Kimani, who, after being sent to America to pursue an education and maybe make something out of himself, gets deported back to Kenya in a humiliating way, having not lived the great American dream. Coming back to the motherland, things are not as they should be. He comes back to a cruel mother, too cruel to share the same oxygen with and a hostile country that looks down on people who didn't make it majuu (abroad). In summary (wait, am I summarising a summary? This is new), anyway, he returns to nothing but just Kim. It's like he was born under a bad star. The only difference between Kenya and America for Kim is the name. That's all she wrote...
Actually, Kim has one thing he possesses: an old family photo (remember that cover scenario I mentioned? Told you so), and he clings to it dearly like a lucky charm.
Kim reunites with his only two friends at Club Deportee ("She said the thing!" moment) and embarks on a mysterious journey that holds a lot of secrets about his whole life. Lies are exposed, and secrets that lay buried for years are brought to light (yeah, I lifted this part from the cover blurb. I don't sound like that "IN A WORLD..." voice from movie trailers).
Deportee is a well-crafted story that uses flashbacks and gives each character great depth, giving the book an unputdownable vibe.
One of the book's greatest strengths is how grounded the characters feel. Their decisions aren't always easy or predictable, but they feel authentic.
The other thing is what I had mention earlier, the use of flashbacks, they just fit so well in the story, Gitagia definitely know how to give flashbacks without feeling like you are take from action, the past and present work in perfect harmony
I also appreciated how the novel handles themes such as:
Rather than offering simple answers, the story encourages readers to think about these issues for themselves.
Each brings a different perspective to the story, making the emotional conflicts feel genuine. Their relationships evolve naturally, and even secondary characters contribute meaningfully to the overall narrative.
It also goes beyond the emotions to show how each individual character has a life of their own. They are not just gravitating around Kim to make his story work; rather, they are individuals with their own stories, and if Kim never came into the picture, they would still have had lives. This is an element many books miss, and I appreciate it when an author builds their characters to breathe and live, not just escort the protagonist. It's a beautiful and chaotic world Gitagia has created, and Kim just happens to be part of it, and the story just happens to focus on him. That is a huge plus for me.
The pacing is steady, allowing readers enough time to connect with both the characters and the unfolding events.
Wanjiku's writing is accessible, making the book approachable whether you're a seasoned reader or someone looking for contemporary African fiction to explore.
Deportee is more than a story about movement across borders. It's about identity, resilience, and the search for a place where one truly belongs. It's a thoughtful novel that invites reflection long after the last chapter.
If you're looking for contemporary Kenyan fiction that combines compelling storytelling with meaningful themes, Deportee is well worth adding to your reading list.
Deportee is available on all major local bookshops and on Amazon Kindle
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