Jendella Benson is the author of Hope & Glory and head of Editorial at Black Ballad - the award-winning digital platform for Black British women. She has written for The Guardian, The Sunday Times STYLE Magazine, The Telegraph and The Independent. Her short story 'Kindling' was published in The Book of Birmingham, and she was a judge for the 2023 AKO Caine Prize for African Writing. Jendella is member of the advisory board for the award-winning, Brixton-based bookshop, Round Table Books and an accomplished public speaker.
A sweeping, rich tale that explores family, secrets, loss, love and
redemption within the context of a tessellation of cultures -
written with a beautiful texture, Benson pulls you in to a
deftly-woven story with tautly-written sentences, and before you
know it you find yourself in too deep to get out, too deep to want
to get out, wanting to know more.
*Bolu Babalola, author of LOVE IN COLOUR*
Jendella Benson has drawn such a compelling world that Hope and
Glory, the book and the characters themselves, stayed with me long
after I'd turned the final pages.
*Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie*
Hope & Glory is a wonderful book. The novel explores grief, love,
friendship, dreams lost, life interrupted. All the characters are
flawed, loveable, maddening and so honest you feel like you know
them; the plot is compelling and touching at the same time.
Jendella Benson has created a story that is intricate, beautiful
and so very real. I held my breath, gasped out loud and devoured
every gorgeous page. Just brilliant.
*Dorothy Koomson*
A compelling and compassionate book that's at once heartbreaking
and hopeful. Jendella Benson paints a family portrait that's tender
and messy and true.
*Chloe Ashby, author of WET PAINT*
Once I started reading, I couldn't stop! Jendella's writing is
spellbinding, so beautiful. I felt every emotion on the page.
*Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of YINKA, WHERE IS YOUR
HUZBAND?*
Authentic and as heart warming as it is heart wrenching, Hope &
Glory is a glorious ode to family life, love and loss. Jendella's
writing is effortless, the characters leap off of the page and my
favourite thing amongst so many? It's so deliciously South
London.
*Yomi Adegoke, author of SLAY IN YOUR LANE*
Engrossing, emotional and super relatable, especially to those from
a West African background.
*Sareeta Domingo, author of WHO'S LOVING YOU*
Stirring, startling, life-affirming. A wonderful read.
*Musa Okwonga*
A dazzling debut. Jendella Benson is one to watch.
*Melissa Cummings-Quarry, Black Girls Book Club*
An elegantly-written, heartwarming story filled with hope. Each
character, family secret, and vulnerability is treated with such
grace and care due to Jendella's fresh and tender writing. Can't
wait to read what she shares with the world next.
*Lola Ákínmádé Åkerström*
Clear some space on your bookshelf... One of 2022's most
raved-about debuts.
*Sunday Times*
A family drama exploring grief, love, friendship and redemption...
Benson builds characters who embody the complexity and
contradictory nature of the human condition.
*Glamour*
Benson's debut is a masterful look at how your history isn't always
the one you've been told.
*Stylist*
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