Product Description

The protagonist, upon arriving in China in the wake of 911 and the onset of a terrifying global war, is forced to confront his early experiences in Kenya and the United States as a result of his growing love for a beautiful Chinese woman and a young orphan. Parallels between his own upbringing and the potential family that lies before him lead to questions about his true identity, the complexities of his multi-racial family and the relationship he had known with his father.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #139865 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 358 pages

Customer Reviews

Mark Ndesandjo has decided to share his creativity with the world!
Mark Ndesandjo has not had an easy life. Mark started his young years in Kenya where he was beaten by his late father,Barack Obama. Mark also wanted to protect his Mum from this brutal man but as a small child he felt helpless. As an adult some of his experiences made him passionate about helping suffering children. Mark currently helps orphans in China, dedicating much of his life to giving these children some hope and a direction (he teaches them piano for example). Mark is a brilliant piano player and due to his need to escape the horrors of his young life, he immersed himself into music, literature and physics. Mark turned his negative past experiences and channeled them into a positive future. He will continue to reach out and send the world the message that domestic violance will not be tolerated and that everyone should help out people in need. Mark also sends a message that there is always hope when you have a passion.This book was written so magically bringing this semi autobiographical novel into a true work of art. Very interesting novel that is hard to stop reading!! I almost forgot,Mark shares the same father as his famous brother, President Barack Obama!

What is Obama's brother seeking?
Several years ago, I heard about Mark, the author, from Shenzhen local newspaper about his story.He has been a volunteer of an orphanage for years.

Later, when Barack Obama became the president of USA, newspapers told me that his half brother Mark lives in Shenzhen. Oh, the same guy!

From Obama's book "Dreams from My Father", I read something about Mark. They share a big family.

President Obama is chasing his father's dream. Now, what is his younger brother seeking?

We are living in a complex world. So many tough problems are waiting for us. What should we do?

I believe that we could find out something from this book.

Very Moving Novel
Yes, I admit I did buy this book because of the relation between Mr. Ndesanjo and President Obama. However, what kept me reading was the fact that the story and the characters truly touched me. Mr. Ndesanjo's ability to put into words such deep-felt emotions and observations is truly a gift. I often found myself reading a passage about love or memories or relationships and nodding my head; he nailed so many of the emotions that people experience when they are searching for something in life. The passages about young Zhen Rui were inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. I also appreciated the stream-of-conciousness style, and gliding from one character's mind to another. It gives the story a sense of universality; and, in being given the opportunity to "see" the thoughts of those who are not the central character, we are given a much more objective glance at the world Mr. Ndesanjo is building as a whole. I agree that the book could use a second edition with major edits, and this is why I rated it with four, instead of five, stars. There were several editorial oversights. On the other hand, it was insightful at those moments where the writer would accidentally fall out of the third person and into the first person. I would think to myself, "Oh, guess this is one of those 'actual persons and events' he references in the Forward." All in all, however this is a very honest, moving novel and I recommend reading it.