A Coastline Is an Immeasurable Thing

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A poetic coming-of-age memoir that explores the legacies of family, race, and religion, this work follows Mary-Alice Daniel's journey from Nigeria to England and America. After her family moved from West Africa to England, they faced a stark contrast to their vibrant Nigerian culture, embarking on a quest for belonging across three continents. The narrative delves into Daniel's upbringing against a backdrop of migration, addressing themes of race, religious conflict, and cultural identity. She examines the lives of her parents and ancestors, uncovering the tribal mythologies that have shaped her existence. Daniel grapples with her identity, as the Nigerian government recognizes her as Longuda, her father's tribe, while matrilineal traditions link her to the Fulani, and her childhood language belongs to the Hausa tribe. Yet, her strongest connection is to California, which she reveals through its captivating history. To reclaim her legacies, Daniel revisits her unsettled childhood and navigates ancestral traditions. Her layered narratives reflect the spiritual complexities of Islam, Christianity, and magic. This memoir serves as a cultural distillation of the Black diaspora, mapping the intricate connections and boundaries of Blackness from colonial histories to her life in America, all conveyed through lyrical observation and deep introspection.