'Extraordinary' - The New York Times

'A mouth-watering delight . . . subtle yet striking' - Sarah Jessica Parker

'A glorious debut . . . a richly layered account of artistic endeavour and resilience.' - Guardian

Shortlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize 2024

Two dreamers. One love story. A world of sound.

When Bonnie meets musician Mansour in 1960s New York City, it is clear that they are meant to be. As they tour the world together, from New York to Paris, to Rio and Swtizerland, it soon seems as though fame and unimaginable riches are only a heartbeat away. But now he is missing, and Bonnie, pregnant with his child, must find him.

In Mai Sennaar's sparkling debut , Bonnie and Mansour's story takes us across oceans and continents as we chart their once-in-a-lifetime love.

'One of the most beautiful debuts I've ever read' - Dawnie Walton, author of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

'A sweeping, fascinating book' - The Times

An electrifying Afrobeat love story about a young Senegalese jazz musician and an aspiring African American producer thrown together by chance, and destined to make music that will change the world.

About the Author
Mai Sennaar is a writer, playwright and filmmaker. She lives between Baltimore and Dakar, and she speaks French and Wolof. They Dream in Gold is her debut novel.

Reviews
A mouthwatering delight. A reader traverses half the globe through this story, becomes a singer and a dancer and a chef; and is welcomed into a formidable community of women where love is the unshakeable glue. Subtle yet striking, They Dream in Gold is a remarkable comment on motherhood, diaspora, and ambition. -- Sarah Jessica Parker
A glorious debut . . . a richly layered account of artistic endeavour and resilience. * Guardian *
Exquisitely written, They Dream in Gold is an epic and hauntingly-beautiful story, each page shimmering like gold, woven by Mai Sennaar's astounding talent as a debut author whose work I look forward to reading during the years to come. -- Nguyn Phan Que Mai, internationally best-selling author of The Mountains Sing
One of the most beautiful debuts I've ever read - musical, magical, and full of tenderness for the unique histories and identities entwined in love.' -- Dawnie Walton, author of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
They Dream in Gold sends us on a journey around the world with a remarkable cast of women in search of belonging and the realization of their dreams. Sennaar tells their story with a musician's ear for rhythm and subtlety, and indeed, music and love beat strong in the heart of this powerful debut. I would follow these characters anywhere. -- Laura Warrell, author of Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm
I adored this Afrobeat love story... a remarkable tapestry of lives buffeted by fate, this lyrical, tender epic explores migration, diaspora, motherhood and ambition -- The Bookseller 'Book of the Month'
They Dream in Gold is a revelation of a novel that readers won't soon forget . . . this wholly original, whirlwind story deftly illuminates the tensions of art and humanity . . . Mai Sennaar is a rare, daring talent -- Thao Thai, author of Banyan Moon
Extraordinary . . . a powerful and poignant exploration of the African diaspora and global Black identity. * The New York Times *
A sweeping, fascinating book about identity and families * The Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781035033706
Author Diabou Mai Sennaar
Format Hardback
Page Count 432
Imprint Picador
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 658g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 162mm * 38mm