The Suitcase (novel)

The Suitcase is a 2007 novel by Aminatta Forna. The story revolves around Attila Asim, a Ghanaian psychiatrist working in London, who receives a suitcase mistakenly delivered to his flat. The suitcase belongs to a Bosnian man named Radeka.

As Attila attempts to return the suitcase, he becomes increasingly drawn into Radeka's life and history, uncovering a complex web of personal stories and political events connected to the Bosnian War. The contents of the suitcase, seemingly ordinary items, act as catalysts, prompting Attila to confront his own past and experiences with displacement, identity, and the long-term consequences of conflict.

The novel explores themes of migration, trauma, the nature of belonging, and the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate lives in a globalized world. It delves into the psychological impact of war on individuals and communities, and examines how objects can hold significant emotional weight and represent fragmented memories.