'The Old Drift' Takes The Long View Of Human (And Mosquito) History
Namwali Serpell's lush, sprawling new novel is a speculative history — and future — of Zambia, from colonialism to an ill-fated space program and the age of mass surveillance and drone warfare.
"We're your oldest friend, your ancient enemy ..." warn the chorus of Namwali Serpell's lush speculative novel The Old Drift.
Can you guess who they are? "We're perfectly matched ..." they say. "We're both useless, ubiquitous species. But while you all rule the earth and destroy it for kicks, we linger and loaf, unsung heroes. We've been around here as long as you have — for eons before, say the fossils."
A mosquito chorus drifts through this ambitious
