Kipligat’s Chance
This bittersweet novel portrays John “Leeds” Kipligat, a 16-year-old Kenyan émigré living in Vancouver who decides to become a runner to escape the poverty, family strife, and mind-numbing routine of his daily life. But the path to a track scholarship is fraught with obstacles-physical, mental and emotional. As Leeds starts to train and recognizes within himself a powerful yearning to run, his own self-destructive tendencies begin to chase him. Is he running toward his future or away from the pain of his past? Set amidst a compellingly depicted, diverse community of urban down-and-out runners, Kipligat’s Chance features a protagonist who is utterly convincing in his humanity, sweetness, humour and courage.
David Nandi Odhiambo is a Canadian novelist and writer born in Kenya.
Other publications from this author include:
- Smells Like Stars (2018)
- The Reverend’s Apprentice (2008)
- Diss/ed banded nation (1998)