The Bridgetower Sonata

The Bridgetower Sonata (Sonata Mulattica) is a historical fiction novel written by Grand Prix Littéraire de l'Afrique Noire recipient Emmanuel Dongala about the child prodigy violinist George Polgreen Bridgetower. It was originally published in French under the title La Sonate à Bridgetower by Editions Actes Sud in 2017. It was translated into English by Marjolijn De Jager in April 2021, published by Schaffner Press. The novel details the early musical career of Bridgetower during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and considers the issue of his mixed race in a European culture that was largely discriminatory towards people of color.