What Napoleon Could Not Do

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America is portrayed through the ambitions of three characters connected to Africa in this gripping narrative. Siblings Jacob and Belinda Nti, raised in Ghana, aspire to move to the United States, viewing it as both an opportunity and a challenge. Jacob, an awkward computer programmer living with his father, seeks a visa to join his wife in Virginia—a request repeatedly denied by the U.S. government. He envies Belinda, who has accomplished what their father deemed impossible: attending college and law school in America, ultimately marrying Wilder, a wealthy Black businessman from Texas. Wilder's perspective on America starkly contrasts with Belinda's; he has long fought against the racism and marginalization faced by African Americans. Their intertwined desires and ambitions illuminate the duality of promise and disappointment that life in a new country presents. The characters' journeys of understanding, shaped by both unfulfilled dreams and achieved aspirations, form the core of this compelling and insightful exploration. Recognized as one of Vulture’s Best Books of 2023 (So Far) and featured in various notable lists, this debut novel captures the complexity of immigrant experiences and the pursuit of the American dream.