“Happiness” by Aminatta Forna (UK – London)

Synopsis

Waterloo Bridge, London. Two strangers collide. Attila, a Ghanaian psychiatrist, and Jean, an American studying the habits of urban foxes. From this chance encounter in the midst of the rush of a great city, numerous moments of connections span out and interweave, bringing disparate lives together.

In this delicate yet powerful novel of loves lost and new, of past griefs and of the hidden side of a teeming metropolis, Aminatta Forna asks us to consider the values of the society we live in, our co-existence with one another and all living creatures – and the true nature of happiness.

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Review

“Happiness” is a beautifully written novel that offers a different view of London, blending the lives of its people with the city’s foxes, immigrant workers, and hidden urban gardens. Readers loved the protagonists Attila, a psychiatrist, and Jean, a wildlife researcher, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. The weaving of animals into human stories adds a rich layer of meaning, making the city feel alive in a new way. The relationships between the characters are clear, warm, and filled with genuine humanity, and the story is full of caring connections.

The author’s attention to detail paints vivid pictures, and readers found many passages—especially those on psychiatry and trauma—deeply inspiring. However, towards the end, it becomes quite busy, with a bit too much going on, which takes away from the central relationship. Although the scope may be expansive, readers were impressed by how she manages to tie each storyline to a satisfying resolution. This is a thoughtful and engaging novel, filled with moments that reflect the world we live in.

This fifth book of Season 25 scored 8.75 out of 10.

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Nicola’s Book Club reading list

Season 25 – 20^th anniversary (Oct 2024 – Jun 2025)

“Happiness™” by Will Ferguson (Canada)
“A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende (Chile)
“Claire of the Sea Light” by Edwidge Danticat (Haiti) *
“Beyond the Door of No Return” by David Diop (Senegal)
“Happiness” by Aminatta Forna (UK – London)
“No One Prayed Over Their Graves” by Khaled Khalifa (Syria)
“How We Disappeared” by Jing-Jing Lee (Singapore)
“Amnesia” by Peter Carey (Australia)

* The book club favourite
In italics, Nicola’s Coup de Cœur