Literature & Fiction
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The Door of No Return
Dreams are today's answers for tomorrow's questions.
11-year-old Kofi Offin dreams of water. Its mysterious, immersive quality. The rich, earthy scent of the current. The clearness, its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets…
Kofi has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, in the village where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father's father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. Some say he moves like a minnow, not just an ordinary boy so he's hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older, stronger cousin.
But before this can take place, a festival comes to the villages of Upper and Lower Kwanta and Kofi's brother is chosen to represent Upper Kwanta in the wrestling contest. Encircled by cheering spectators and sounding drums, the two wrestlers from different villages kneel, ready to fight.
You are only fine, until you are not.
The match is over before it has barely begun, when the unthinkable–a sudden death–occurs…
The river does not care how grown you are.
As his world turns upside down, Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.
11-year-old Kofi Offin dreams of water. Its mysterious, immersive quality. The rich, earthy scent of the current. The clearness, its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets…
Kofi has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, in the village where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father's father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. Some say he moves like a minnow, not just an ordinary boy so he's hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older, stronger cousin.
But before this can take place, a festival comes to the villages of Upper and Lower Kwanta and Kofi's brother is chosen to represent Upper Kwanta in the wrestling contest. Encircled by cheering spectators and sounding drums, the two wrestlers from different villages kneel, ready to fight.
You are only fine, until you are not.
The match is over before it has barely begun, when the unthinkable–a sudden death–occurs…
The river does not care how grown you are.
As his world turns upside down, Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.
Editorial Reviews
"Absolutely spellbinding: Kwame Alexander weaves together storytelling, poetry, music and history like no one else can. An unforgettable journey to be treasured and shared across generations."―Rick Riordan, NYT bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series
"Alexander lures you in and endears you to Kofi and his world in a way that has you fully invested in time and place...His writing is at once vivid and simple, lyrical and surgical, expressive and exacting, comforting and cutting. It hypnotizes and sobers, hypnotizes and sobers, in a rhythm as timeless as the talking drum that carries the tales of his people: Kum-PUM PUM! Kum-PUM PUM! I wish this book existed alongside Huckleberry Finn when I was in school. I am glad it exists now!" ―Lupita Nyong'o, Actress and Author
"Alexander turns the nightmare of the past into an epic story for all times and all people. The Door of No Return is a breathtaking, heartbreaking triumph and an instant classic."―Lev Grossman, NYT bestselling author of The Magicians
"As I read The Door of No Return I kept thinking about how transformative it would have been to have had a book like this when I was young. This novel moves a devastating history beyond the realm of abstraction and fills our imaginations with characters who laugh, cry, love, learn, worry, and wonder. I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Kwame Alexander has given us a gift."―Clint Smith, #1 NYT bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed
"A riveting, not-to-be-missed trilogy opener that will leave readers invested in what is to come."―Kirkus Reviews
"Alexander weaves a breathtaking tale that is ripe with the juxtaposing emotions that come with any coming-of-age story. Through Alexander's verse, readers are reminded of the beauty and unbounded richness that Ghana and her people have to offer...Alexander has written a masterpiece, one that powerfully and truthfully gives agency to the Black voices of the past. Profound and important reading."―Booklist
"Themes of conflict within and between cultures, and of war and peace, hate and love, despair and hope are deeply embedded throughout this gripping tale."―Horn Book
"Interweaving moments of joyful exuberance and heartbrea...
"Alexander lures you in and endears you to Kofi and his world in a way that has you fully invested in time and place...His writing is at once vivid and simple, lyrical and surgical, expressive and exacting, comforting and cutting. It hypnotizes and sobers, hypnotizes and sobers, in a rhythm as timeless as the talking drum that carries the tales of his people: Kum-PUM PUM! Kum-PUM PUM! I wish this book existed alongside Huckleberry Finn when I was in school. I am glad it exists now!" ―Lupita Nyong'o, Actress and Author
"Alexander turns the nightmare of the past into an epic story for all times and all people. The Door of No Return is a breathtaking, heartbreaking triumph and an instant classic."―Lev Grossman, NYT bestselling author of The Magicians
"As I read The Door of No Return I kept thinking about how transformative it would have been to have had a book like this when I was young. This novel moves a devastating history beyond the realm of abstraction and fills our imaginations with characters who laugh, cry, love, learn, worry, and wonder. I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Kwame Alexander has given us a gift."―Clint Smith, #1 NYT bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed
"A riveting, not-to-be-missed trilogy opener that will leave readers invested in what is to come."―Kirkus Reviews
"Alexander weaves a breathtaking tale that is ripe with the juxtaposing emotions that come with any coming-of-age story. Through Alexander's verse, readers are reminded of the beauty and unbounded richness that Ghana and her people have to offer...Alexander has written a masterpiece, one that powerfully and truthfully gives agency to the Black voices of the past. Profound and important reading."―Booklist
"Themes of conflict within and between cultures, and of war and peace, hate and love, despair and hope are deeply embedded throughout this gripping tale."―Horn Book
"Interweaving moments of joyful exuberance and heartbrea...
Readers Top Reviews
Karen Siddall
In “The Door of No Return,” author Kwame Alexander tells the heartbreaking story of Kofi, a boy on the threshold of adulthood, and his close-knit and loving family. Readers get to know this curious and charming boy and will connect with his adolescent thoughts, feelings, and desires for the future. Young readers will undoubtedly be drawn in and quickly relate to him. There is joy in the story as Kofi swims in the river and talks and learns from the older male members of his family: grandfather, father, and big brother, Kwasi. But tension arises quickly as he prepares to swim a race against his rival. But that tension is only a teaser for the trouble to come, something so unimaginable it will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned. The story is conveyed in verse which may be unfamiliar to some young readers. However, this format creates perfect bite-sized pieces that will, in the end, keep the reader on the edge of their seats yet give them a much-needed pause from the mounting tension before continuing. These natural stops may work well for reluctant readers and those looking for a meaningful story for reading aloud. Kofi’s story hits so many emotions and offers a wealth of material for discussion, examination, reflection, and further reading. Its gorgeous cover is sure to catch the eye of browsers as well. I recommend THE DOOR OF NO RETURN to middle-grade readers and older and those searching for an exciting opportunity for sharing and reading aloud. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through “NetGalley” and “TBR and Beyond Book Tours.”
Olivia F.Karen Si
THE DOOR OF NO RETURN is a powerful and sweeping middle grade read written in verse. Using the lyrical form, the reader is transported to the life of the 11-year-old Kofi, who loves to swim and has a crush on a girl named Ama. He attends school where his teacher insists they learn "The Queen's English" and who has harsh punishments for their mistakes. Kofi does not mind when he has to read Shakespeare though, and it has made an impression on him. Life changes when a wrestling match at a festival results in a death, and then slave traders arrive to pillage and torture. Kofi's life is suddenly and irrevocably changed in the worst ways as he hopes for survival and watches the people he loves suffer. What I loved: This is such a poignant and powerful read that really brings Kofi to life amidst the pages. The use of poetry is quite evocative, and different styles are used throughout to convey the changing emotions and state of Kofi's world. It is really a masterful use of the form that has a forceful impact on the reader. It is really stunning and beautiful, and will definitely pull the reader into the story. The pace is just right, moving faster or slower as needed along with Kofi. There is much that happens in the book, and the reader understands just as much as Kofi, which means that they experience his emotions alongside him. Kofi is an endearing character, and it makes his story all the more compelling. The book handles some really heavy themes in an approachable way that will work well for the intended middle grade audience, but will speak to other age groups as well. Final verdict: An evocative, potent, and mesmerizing read, THE DOOR OF NO RETURN combines masterful writing with an unforgettable story that is sure to leave readers gasping. Highly recommend picking this one up - for middle grade audiences on up. Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
SallyOlivia F.Kar
I read everything by Kwame. But he has dug deep and written a rich historical fiction book that will stay with me for a long long time. Get it and read it!
