Join Akwaeke Emezi for the launch of their latest novel, Bitter, which explores the stakes of social revolution and how youth lead the way. The companion novel to Pet—a 2019 finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature—Bitter follows a young artist torn between staying within the walls of her studio or protesting in the streets against the deep injustices that grip her hometown of Lucille.

The program begins with a reading from Bitter, followed by a conversation with Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin, about Emezi’s writing process and their wide-ranging career as an author and video artist. Emezi’s other novels include The New York Times bestseller The Death of Vivek Oji (2020)  and Freshwater (2018), which was shortlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award. The program is followed by a book signing. Plus, enjoy an after-hours viewing of The Slipstream: Reflection, Resistance, and Resilience in the Art of Our Times.

Tickets are $25 and include a copy of Bitter. Member tickets are $20. Not a Member? Join today! You can also watch this event live on YouTube.

All visitors 5 and older must show proof of vaccination. Visitors 18 and older are also required to show a valid I.D. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.

This program will include ASL interpretation. For access needs, please email us at access@brooklynmuseum.org.

Image caption and credit: Cover, Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi, 2021. (Photo: Courtesy of the author and Knopf Books)