'Patricia James packs her delightful memoir with colourful characters and crisp, entertaining stories about her life as a young mother in Libya and Ghana. A childhood neighbour is too houseproud to allow her husband into the house; cultural readjustments in Accra include routinely having to sieve weevils out of your flour and buying beef by pointing to the relevant parts of an enormous dead cow hanging up at the butcher’s shop. James’ voice is instantly likeable and trustworthy. Her pithy, succinct narrative captures in brilliant detail scenes from a past that make our modern world seem at once more brutal and more sanitised.' – Mandy Sutter, author of Bush Meat
'Belonging is a fascinating book about one woman’s life that led her from the Dulais Valley in South Wales to the early years of post-colonial North and West Africa and far beyond. It’s the story of a woman who dared “to step off the boat” and enjoy and embrace what life threw at her. Ms James’ conversational style means you could just as easily be sitting listening to her across the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in hand; telling stories about characters and events that shaped her and her family’s life. A lovely piece of social history, which can easily be dipped in and out of, or read it in one sitting, as I did. A fabulous and captivating read.' – Dr Michael Harrington
After humble beginnings in the Dulais Valley, newly married Patricia James leaves everything she knows to move to another continent. Describing life first in Libya then Ghana, Belonging gives a glimpse into expatriate life in the mid-sixties.
Through a lens of lifelong affection, Patricia James recounts her cosmopolitan early years bringing up children in Africa, feeding crocodiles, dealing with snakes and bugs, and the lasting impact of friendships and people. But when the Sixties come to a close and hiraeth calls, finding home starts again – this time, leading to deepest Powys.
Back in Wales, she continues her full and adventurous life, becoming part of a renowned textile company and even mingling with royalty, while tackling the highs and lows of building a house and fitting into a new community. This down-to-earth and absorbing memoir reveals an extraordinary and intrepid life full of love, friendship and travel spanning over eight decades.
"Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and meet many interesting people. I hope to continue doing so. This is my own personal story. I hope you enjoy reading it." – Patricia James, September, 2024
