The Fortune Men
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-05-24 09:51:18
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Nadifa Mohamed
- ISBN：0241466946
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
The story of a murder， a miscarriage of justice， and a man too innocent for his times 。 。 。
Mahmood Mattan is a fixture in Cardiff's Tiger Bay， 1952， which bustles with Somali and West Indian sailors， Maltese businessmen and Jewish families。 He is a father， chancer， petty criminal。 He is a smooth-talker with rakish charm and an eye for a good game。 He is many things， but he is not a murderer。
So when a shopkeeper is brutally killed and all eyes fall on him， Mahmood isn't too worried。 Since his Welsh wife Laura kicked him out for racking up debts he has wandered the streets more often， and there are witnesses who allegedly saw him enter the shop that night。 But Mahmood has escaped worse scrapes， and he is innocent in this country where justice is served。 Love lends him immunity too: the fierce love of Laura， who forgives his gambling in a heartbeat， and his children。 It is only in the run-up to the trial， as the prospect of returning home dwindles， that it will dawn on Mahmood that he is in a fight for his life - against conspiracy， prejudice and cruelty - and that the truth may not be enough to save him。
***PRAISE FOR NADIFA MOHAMED***
'A moving and captivating tale of survival and hope 。 。 。 confirms Mohamed's stature as one of Britain's best young novelists' Stylist， on The Orchard of Lost Souls
'Mixing startling lyricism and sheer brutality 。 。 。 [Black Mamba Boy] is a significant， affecting book' Guardian
'With the unadorned language of a wise， clear-eyed observer， Nadifa Mohamed has spun an unforgettable tale' Taiye Selasi， on The Orchard of Lost Souls
Mahmood Mattan is a fixture in Cardiff's Tiger Bay， 1952， which bustles with Somali and West Indian sailors， Maltese businessmen and Jewish families。 He is a father， chancer， petty criminal。 He is a smooth-talker with rakish charm and an eye for a good game。 He is many things， but he is not a murderer。
So when a shopkeeper is brutally killed and all eyes fall on him， Mahmood isn't too worried。 Since his Welsh wife Laura kicked him out for racking up debts he has wandered the streets more often， and there are witnesses who allegedly saw him enter the shop that night。 But Mahmood has escaped worse scrapes， and he is innocent in this country where justice is served。 Love lends him immunity too: the fierce love of Laura， who forgives his gambling in a heartbeat， and his children。 It is only in the run-up to the trial， as the prospect of returning home dwindles， that it will dawn on Mahmood that he is in a fight for his life - against conspiracy， prejudice and cruelty - and that the truth may not be enough to save him。
***PRAISE FOR NADIFA MOHAMED***
'A moving and captivating tale of survival and hope 。 。 。 confirms Mohamed's stature as one of Britain's best young novelists' Stylist， on The Orchard of Lost Souls
'Mixing startling lyricism and sheer brutality 。 。 。 [Black Mamba Boy] is a significant， affecting book' Guardian
'With the unadorned language of a wise， clear-eyed observer， Nadifa Mohamed has spun an unforgettable tale' Taiye Selasi， on The Orchard of Lost Souls
Reviews
Rosalind
，
I am afraid that this book was not to my liking。 It was slow and boring and I gave up part way through。 The writing was good but the genre which was a new one to me did not entice me。 Thanks for the chance to read pre release。
Collette
，
Not reviewin。 I do not think that I was the target audienc I am sure that others will find it a great read。
Helen
，
A well written narrative of its time and setting。 Well rounded characters。 Unfortunately not for me。 A new genre for me and it didn't grab me but I appreciated the skill in the writing。 A well written narrative of its time and setting。 Well rounded characters。 Unfortunately not for me。 A new genre for me and it didn't grab me but I appreciated the skill in the writing。 。。。more
Gill
，
After reading to 40% in and not really clicking with the book I put it aside to read another book。 I've gone back to it but just couldn't get into it so I don't really think this is a book for me。 After reading to 40% in and not really clicking with the book I put it aside to read another book。 I've gone back to it but just couldn't get into it so I don't really think this is a book for me。 。。。more
Jill
，
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review。 Nadifa Mohamed’s novel， The Fortune Men， set in 1950’s Cardiff， Is based on the true story of Mahmood Mattan， a Somali man’s wrongful execution in Wales。As Mattan quotes: “Fortune couldn’t be nudged or shaken awake， she had to be given her liberty to act when and where she wanted。” For Mattan there was to be no liberty。 I was so incensed by this story I Googled this miscarriage of justice and found a TV newscast of My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review。 Nadifa Mohamed’s novel， The Fortune Men， set in 1950’s Cardiff， Is based on the true story of Mahmood Mattan， a Somali man’s wrongful execution in Wales。As Mattan quotes: “Fortune couldn’t be nudged or shaken awake， she had to be given her liberty to act when and where she wanted。” For Mattan there was to be no liberty。 I was so incensed by this story I Googled this miscarriage of justice and found a TV newscast of September 2020。 It was minor consolation that， after 34 years of the death of Mattan， the Appeal Court judges overturned his conviction and he was found to be innocent。To be honest I found this book a bit tedious although I do appreciate that it is not meant to be enjoyable， but an informative account based on actual events。 A depressing， emotionally protracted read， giving an insight into racial prejudice and a flawed British justice system。 。。。more
Karen
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What an amazing historical fiction novel， not at all what I was expecting。The book is set in Tiger Bay， Cardiff， in 1952。 Mahmood is a Somali married to Laura， a local woman。 1950’s Cardiff is a bustle of multiculturism and Mahmood works hard for his wife and three sons， his work on the ships takes him away from them often but that and his petty thievery is the only way he knows of how to support his family。 During one of his spells on dry land， a local shopkeeper is murdered。 Even though he pro What an amazing historical fiction novel， not at all what I was expecting。The book is set in Tiger Bay， Cardiff， in 1952。 Mahmood is a Somali married to Laura， a local woman。 1950’s Cardiff is a bustle of multiculturism and Mahmood works hard for his wife and three sons， his work on the ships takes him away from them often but that and his petty thievery is the only way he knows of how to support his family。 During one of his spells on dry land， a local shopkeeper is murdered。 Even though he protests his innocence， there are too many witnesses who saw it happen， even though most of are only there for the reward。I won’t spoil the outcome， but does he gain redemption？ Will Mahmood walk away a free man， or is he hung by prejudice and greed？ The book covers issues of prejudice with sensitivity， the hardship of life for some in this Welsh Community a reality， and perfect portrayal of the characters draw you right into the story， stirring emotions and questioning how and why this man was failed by the Justice system。This book is based upon the real-life events of the murder of Lily Volpert on March 6th 1952。This is a very absorbing novel that is beautifully and respectfully written whilst also being a page gripping mystery that will keep you saying ‘just one more chapter’。I highly recommend this book。Thank you to Netgalley and Viking for an e ARC of The Fortune Men in return for an honest review。 。。。more
Mrs
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I found this book difficult to read in more ways than one。 It is set in Cardiff in the early 1950’s。 I found it hard in the beginning as the book jumped about and I wondered if I would continue with it。 I did persevere and I am so pleased I did。 This area in the 1950’s was multi-cultural and I am sure this must have been very difficult。 Mahmood Mattan was a sailor and he mixed with many nationalities。 He met and married a Welsh girl， Laura， and they had three children。 Life was tough for them e I found this book difficult to read in more ways than one。 It is set in Cardiff in the early 1950’s。 I found it hard in the beginning as the book jumped about and I wondered if I would continue with it。 I did persevere and I am so pleased I did。 This area in the 1950’s was multi-cultural and I am sure this must have been very difficult。 Mahmood Mattan was a sailor and he mixed with many nationalities。 He met and married a Welsh girl， Laura， and they had three children。 Life was tough for them especially if and when he went to sea and they often separated。 He was a bit of a petty thief in as much as trying to make ends meet。 When he was not on ship a Jewish lady who ran a shop was brutally murdered and Mahmood was thought to have committed this murder。 Mahmood never lost faith in the legal system but to no avail and he was surprised how many witnesses there were in Court to condemn him especially one who said it was him hoping to have the reward。 She later admitted she was wrong。 He always protested his innocence as he felt it was in a country which would believe him and set him free。 The part of the book which deals with the arrest and trial was precious to read and so so sad especially as a true story。 We have not come a long way from prejudice I am sad to say。 。。。more
Roo
，
What a stunning piece of writing。 Set in Tiger Bay，Cardiff， in 1952， Mahmood Mattan is a Somali married to a local woman。 The murder of a local shopkeeper eventually leads to his execution by hanging for a crime he did not commit。 This book is based upon the real life events of the murder of Lily Volpert on March 6th 1952。The book covers issues of prejudice with sensitivity， the hardship of life for some in this Welsh Community a reality， and perfect portrayal of the characters draw you right in What a stunning piece of writing。 Set in Tiger Bay，Cardiff， in 1952， Mahmood Mattan is a Somali married to a local woman。 The murder of a local shopkeeper eventually leads to his execution by hanging for a crime he did not commit。 This book is based upon the real life events of the murder of Lily Volpert on March 6th 1952。The book covers issues of prejudice with sensitivity， the hardship of life for some in this Welsh Community a reality， and perfect portrayal of the characters draw you right into the story， stirring emotions and questioning how and why this man was failed by the Justice system。Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC 。。。more
Jessica
，
The Fortune Men’ centres around Cardiff’s Tiger Bay in 1952 where many men flock seeking their fortune including Somali and West Indian sailors。 We meet Mahmood Mattan – he is gambler， pick pocket， loving father and wayward husband – but he is not a murderer。 When a local， loved Jewish shopkeeper is viciously killed， everybody points the fingers at Mahmood with only the description of a ‘tall Somalian’ to go by。 Mahmood has to fight prejudice， racism， injustice and judgement before his freedom c The Fortune Men’ centres around Cardiff’s Tiger Bay in 1952 where many men flock seeking their fortune including Somali and West Indian sailors。 We meet Mahmood Mattan – he is gambler， pick pocket， loving father and wayward husband – but he is not a murderer。 When a local， loved Jewish shopkeeper is viciously killed， everybody points the fingers at Mahmood with only the description of a ‘tall Somalian’ to go by。 Mahmood has to fight prejudice， racism， injustice and judgement before his freedom can be secured。When we are first introduced to Mahmood we cannot help but judge him for his sins， how he puts gambling before his children， how he roughly treats his friends and how he regularly misses paying the landlord his rent。 However， when he is suddenly accused of murder we feel strongly against the biased judgements made against him。 After all， what is a man but the sum of his deeds？ He did not commit any violent crimes and therefore， is wrongly accused of this offence。 Despite his flaws， he is worthy of love and to be treated fairly but we are not always given such blessings。Nadifa’s description of Tiger Bay and its inhabitants is fascinating， the wealth of characters， the hustle and bustle， the nightlife， the dark underbelly， the surface shops and businesses。 Tiger Bay is revealed to have many glorious layers of lives and lies。 Mahmood drifts between the many layers， a multi-faceted man who has lived a life full of adventure， disharmony and faith。 He describes how his faith his wavered since docking into Tiger Bay， as if the welsh air and fog has built a divide between him and his God， giving way to his life of sin。 Despite his flaws， his is a character worthy of redemption。 His wife Laura， his staunch advocate， stays by his side through thick and thin， alongside his three sons。 We are drawn to wanting to support and fight for their family to be together once more。Will Mahmood have his redemption？ Will the justice system prevail the truth？ Will Mahmood walk away a free man or be hung by prejudice？ 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Fortune Men
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Fortune Men&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Fortune Men&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0