Ordinary People
Diana evans, Read by Jennifer saayeng
(audible, £25.99)

The action in this novel is framed by two huge events: the election of Obama and the death of Michael Jackson. Diana Evans maps with marvellous sensitivity the ups and downs, through this period, of four late-thirty-something characters, all but one black or mixed-race.

Melissa’s parents are Nigerian. She and Michael, who is of Jamaican descent, have two children. Melissa, a journalist, adores her son but since his birth has felt she is losing her soul. Michael loves Melissa passionately but, unable to get close to her, blunders into infidelity. Damian, married to the deeply-rooted, suburban Stephanie, also feels he is losing his soul. He is in puzzled mourning for his father, a Windrush generation activist originally from Trinidad. Years ago, Damian put away the novel he was writing, unfinished, and now only his children bring occasional joy. Stephanie, more completely fulfilled by parenthood, is becoming impatient with his gloom.