Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces

“I am a student of migration stories,” writes Elamin Abdelmahmoud, opening his own story of migration, pop culture, and identity. At age 12, his family emigrated from Sudan to Kingston, Ontario, launching a diasporic journey through “elsewhere” (a concept Abdelmahmoud explains throughout the book). As a teen he watches the OC to learn about dating and relationships, listens to a wide variety of music to hone in on his personal taste, and compartmentalizes his identities as Black, Arab, and Canadian. This works for a while, but eventually Abdelmahmoud feels pulled to integrate the disparate parts of him clamoring for attention. Part immigration story, part love story, and part coming of age journey, this funny, endearing, and heartfelt memoir will remind you what it’s like to desire “fitting in” and reveal the value of being yourself.