The Minotaur at Calle Lanza

“Madu weaves in family stories, of growing up as the son of Nigerian immigrants in Detroit, with his experience as a Black man moving and living in spaces where there are very few Black people. The book really transports the reader to Venice, and then uses a surreal twist to bring to the foreground Madu’s experiences with being Othered. I don’t want to give away too much. People should just read it! It’s a smart, deeply engrossing book.” Read more...

The Best Memoirs: The 2025 NBCC Autobiography Shortlist

May-lee Chai, Short Story Writer