Stories from The Tenants Downstairs

Written by Sidik Fofana

Narrated by Sidik Fofana, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Nile Bullock and 5 more

SELECTED FOR THE RUSA 2023 LISTEN LIST FOR OUTSTANDING AUDIOBOOK NARRATION!

WINNER of the Gotham Book Prize * Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award, and the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence * Longlisted for the Story Prize

Named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Chicago Review of Books, LitHub, and Electric Lit

“A standout achievement…American speech is an underused commodity in contemporary fiction and it’s a joy to find such a vital example of it here.” —The Wall Street Journal

From a superb new literary talent, a rich, lyrical collection of stories about a tight-knit cast of characters grappling with their own personal challenges while the forces of gentrification threaten to upend life as they know it.

At Banneker Terrace, everybody knows everybody, or at least knows of them. Longtime tenants’ lives are entangled together in the ups and downs of the day-to-day, for better or for worse. The neighbors in the unit next door are friends or family, childhood rivals or enterprising business partners. In other words, Harlem is home. But the rent is due, and the clock of gentrification—never far from anyone’s mind—is ticking louder now than ever.

In eight interconnected stories, Sidik Fofana conjures a residential community under pressure. There is Swan, in apartment 6B, whose excitement about his friend’s release from prison jeopardizes the life he’s been trying to lead. Mimi, in apartment 14D, hustles to raise the child she had with Swan, waitressing at Roscoe’s and doing hair on the side. And Quanneisha B. Miles, in apartment 21J, is a former gymnast with a good education who wishes she could leave Banneker for good, but can’t seem to escape the building’s gravitational pull. We root for the tight-knit cast of characters as they weave in and out of one another’s narratives, working to escape their pasts and blaze new paths forward for themselves and the people they love. All the while we brace, as they do, for the challenges of a rapidly shifting future.

Stories from the Tenants Downstairs brilliantly captures the joy and pain of the human experience in this “singular accomplishment from a writer to watch” (Library Journal, starred review).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797145020

Sidik Fofana

Sidik Fofana earned an MFA from New York University. He lives with his wife and son in New York City where he is a public school teacher.

[Rachael Poppins Stodard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was really good. I am glad I listened to it because I liked hearing the different narrators read the stories. I wanted more of all of these characters, especially the kids. Definitely worth the listen.

[Karen Randall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So very well narrated, well written, such an interesting slice of life!

[Allison J. Parker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderfully rich character development and such real life lessons. Loved this book

[Uniquely Kmee · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wasn't the ending I was expecting. I really enjoyed how everyone's lives was tied by this one building an we got to see just how difficult it was for each character. I like to believe that had happier endings but in reality ik they all have battles to fight floor by floor.

[Alissa Nash · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For better and worse, these stories took me back to my own upbringing in Cleveland. The author did a masterful job creating rich, complex characters telling their individual stories in their own words. But this also reminded me of how often broken people make life choices that only serve to degrade their lives further. Worse, how ready and willing so many are to drag down anyone trying to rise above their circumstances for something better. Crabs in a bucket indeed…

[Danice Stone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good book for first time arthur. I would recommend it.

[ashlee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent audio readers. I enjoyed majority of the stories. I look forward to more books from this author.

[Linda Ivey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the interconnected tales. I loved all the narrators, fantastic job and brought the characters to life. I just don’t like snooty stories. No HEA or epilogue for the tenants. ☹️

[glenda morris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Narrative on the different lives of each tenant, but also similar in some, very compelling

[Dre Ferreira · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stunning interconnected short stories that breathe life into every one of its characters and create a setting that feels just as a real. A tight, intense exploration of gentrification and the impact on communities mental health, desires and needs that go all unnoticed and uncared for in times of need. It felt so reminiscent of experiences I’ve had so maybe that’s where the connection comes from, but even divorced from that it was brilliant.

[Jas Badyal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These are power interconnected narratives of Black Americans living in a building that's being gentrified. There was very human portrayals of people living through poverty, lack of opportunities, and intergenerational trauma. It pulls at your heart.

The audiobook was multi cast and really well done.

[Tatiana Atkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an incredible book! Each characters story was told beautifully. The author and narrators brought each character to life 5/5!

[Ioana Ciobanu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Insightful, unapologetic, raw, and natural - the voices feel authentic. I thought it was pretty good.