Haywards Heath

Race, though never explicitly discussed, underlies the story in its entirety, an intentional choice that allows the author to comment on the experience of a non-White character. Attila’s race is never stated by the narrator, but certain lines strongly imply that he is Black. For one, he’s described as an international student during his time in university in London. Later, it’s said that, as a student, he “wore a Malcolm X goatee” to his lectures, which hints at an affinity with the Black empowerment movement. Furthermore, he notes that a nurse at Rosie’s retirement home is “black herself,” implying Attila is also Black, and he often identifies with another male African nurse. These mentions of race are clearly intentional, even if they play an understated role in the plot. Rosie’s race is never mentioned or implied, so assuming that their relationship ended because of race (apart from the fact that Attila’s nationality was a reason for his move away from England) would be a stretch. However, that doesn’t mean Attila’s racial identity is unimportant. The relative subtlety of the author’s exploration of race is exactly the point. Attila’s race is an intrinsic part of his identity and consciousness that shapes his day-to-day life, even if only in small ways that may not always be obvious to the reader. In depicting Attila’s relationship with race in this way, Forna suggests that even if its impact is not always overt, race is deeply entwined with personal identity.