America

I think of Gloria as my head jerks back and forth against the window of the bus. I try to imagine her standing in a landscape like the one in the pictures she’s sent. A lone woman surrounded by tall cedars and oaks. Even if it’s only June, the ground in my imagination is covered with white snow, looking like a bed of bleached cotton balls. This is my favourite way to picture her in America.

From ‘America’ by Chinelo Okparanta in Granta 118: Exit Strategies. You can now buy the issue or subscribe and receive four issues a year of the best new writing.

You can also listen to Chinelo Okparanta read and discuss her work at the following events:

Iowa City, IA
9 February, 7 p.m., Prairie Lights, 15 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240

Join Chinelo Okparanta and Ben Marcus (The Flame Alphabet) for readings and conversation.

Chicago, IL
10 February, 7.30 p.m., Women & Children First, 5233 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640

Granta’s New Voice Chinelo Okparanta joins local Granta author Nami Mun for readings and discussion of their work.

Chinelo Okparanta will be announced as a New Voice on granta.com next week.

Illustration by Michael Salu.