"How Beautiful We Were" is a novel set in a fictional African village called Kosawa, where the people are suffering from the devastating effects of an American oil company's presence. The story is told through the eyes of a young girl named Thula, who grows up to become a revolutionary leader fighting for justice for her people. The novel explores themes of environmental destruction, corruption, and the power of community and resistance. It is a powerful and moving story that sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by many communities in the Global South.

The book is a haunting exploration of solitude and the unexpected ways in which lives can intersect. It follows the story of a woman who leads a solitary life in a city, her routine existence disrupted by the sudden appearance of a silent, enigmatic child at her doorstep. As she takes the child into her home, the woman is drawn into a surreal journey that blurs the lines between reality and imagination, prompting her to confront her own past and the mysteries of human connection. The narrative weaves a tapestry of magical realism and psychological depth, examining themes of loneliness, motherhood, and the search for belonging in an indifferent world.

This novel explores the lives of two families in New York City during the 2008 financial crisis. One family is a wealthy couple who live a luxurious lifestyle due to their Wall Street connections, while the other family is a pair of Cameroonian immigrants who are trying to make ends meet. As the financial crisis hits, both families face challenges that test their relationships, their dreams, and their understanding of the American Dream.