Being in connection: a conversation with Sharon Dodua Otoo

Ada’s Realm, the remarkable new novel by the prizewinning British German author Sharon Dodua Otoo, appeared in German (Adas Raum) in 2021, and will be published in English in 2023. “All beings – past, present and future – are in connection with each other; we always have been and always will be”, the mysterious shapeshifting narrator of Ada’s Realm tells the reader; Ada herself lives four lives over five centuries in different bodies, in Africa and Europe.

Ada’s Realm has been called a “literary adventure” and admired for the “glittering richness” of its language. This is your chance to get an exciting preview of the novel’s English-language version, and to hear the literary specialist Maryam Aras in conversation with its author, Sharon Dodua Otoo.

ONLINE and IN-PERSON registration is available, choose your ticket type when booking.

If you are joining us in person, the event will be held in the Webb Library, West Court, Jesus College, Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BL.

If you are joining us online, the Zoom link will be sent to the email address you used to register closer to the time.

What COVID-19 measures do you currently have in place?

Please wear a face covering when you are in the building.

We ask that you do not attend if you have any of the main COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms. We encourage you to take a lateral flow test before coming to the event.

We are designing all of our in-person events with decreased capacity. We also ask that during your time with us you act in a way so as to so as to avoid the spread of the virus through best endeavours as recommended by the NHS.

Please make sure that emails from Eventbrite are getting to you. You should get a confirmation email when you book. We will use that email address to contact you closer to the time to update you on current COVID-19 measures.

How do I get to West Court, Jesus College?

The entry to West Court is directly on Jesus Lane, near to the intersection with Park Street. Please DO NOT ENTER through the main entrance to the Porters’ Lodge, known as "the Chimney”. A map is included below to assist you in finding our entrance. Our what3words address is tree.heat.bravo

What transport options do I have?

There is no on-site car parking at Jesus College for those attending our events unless they hold a Blue Badge. There is limited on-street parking outside the College. There are also multiple Park and Ride options to the City Centre, which drop you a short walk away from the College. Please note that Park Street car park is closed.

Regular train services run to Cambridge from London’s Kings Cross Station, London Liverpool Street, London St Pancras, and many other mainline UK stations. The College is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) from the railway station. Buses run about every 10 minutes and there is a taxi rank outside the station and one here in the city centre for your return.

What can I bring with me?

There are coat hooks around our building, but there are no storage or coat minding facilities and we cannot take any responsibility for items left unattended. Bikes can be securely locked and there is CCTV. Mobile phones are allowed but must be silenced or placed on airline mode during the event. Flash photography is prohibited.

What if I have access requirements?

West Court is access-friendly and there are hearing loops. Please let us know about any access requirements in advance of any event via if-events@jesus.cam.ac.uk.

You can find information on how we manage your data at https://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/college/about-us/data-protection.