Georgina Lawton

Current publications:

RACELESS - Sphere (UK) and HarperCollins (US) - 4th February 2021

'Twenty-six years ago, I was born to white parents with no explanation as to why I looked black. Seeking answers has been an incredible journey, taking place against the backdrop of a country that routinely marginalizes and overlooks the stories of black and brown people.'

In Georgina Lawton's childhood home, her blackness was never acknowledged; the obvious fact of her mixed-race heritage was simply ignored. It was only when her beloved father died, when Georgina was just 22 years old, that the complex truth began to emerge. In the years since, Georgina has been on a personal journey to discover her own heritage and to connect with the black British culture she had no exposure to growing up. In doing so, she has found her own story mirrored in those of countless people of colour whose identity has been questioned, denied or erased. Raceless, Georgina's first book, is both the compelling personal account of a young women seeking her own story amid devastating family secrets, and a fascinating, challenging and essential examination of racial identity in modern Britain.

Praise:

Listed as a 'Best Book of 2021' in: the Evening Standard, Cosmopolitan, the Guardian, the Observer, the Sunday Times, Foyles, the Press Association, i paper, the Mirror, the Express, the Mirror, Next Big Idea Club and Bustle.

'Lawton’s discussion of racial passing, transracial adoption, mixed-race identity and the health implications of being misidentified are freshly fascinating. She is a particularly astute observer of the psychological dislocation caused by growing up mixed race in a white family who never acknowledged her racial identity, and she writes beautifully about questions of identity and belonging, so central to each of us in finding our particular place in the world. When it comes to reconciling her newly embraced Black consciousness with the racial attitudes of her white family and friends, however, Lawton sidesteps the possibility of hurting them by saying only “we’ve come a long way.”' - the New York Times

A 'jaw-dropping story, told deftly, interspersing personal experience with wider research and insight into the ways racial identity has an impact on our lives'... ‘a gripping, thought-provoking book' - the Sunday Times

'A memorable story of what it means to be a family' - Good Morning America

“This book is a masterpiece; functioning both as a beautifully-written memoir and sensitive, highly-researched text unpacking the realities of race as a social construct and as a powerful influence on the lives of black people. It is an invaluable read for any person with an interest in race issues in the UK, but especially black and black mixed race people, who so often haven't been given the space to tell their stories. Georgina Lawton is a true talent and while some parts of her story are mired in pain, upon finishing Raceless you'll only be left with optimism for her future as a writer, thinker and commentator.” Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff, Editor-in-Chief at gal-dem magazine

“Georgina Lawton’s Raceless is an absolutely riveting read, not just as a poignant and eye opening memoir but as a nuanced and crucial dissection of race as a construct. She writes so movingly and powerfully about her experiences – I have no doubt this will be one of the books of this year” Yomi Adegoke, co-author of Slay in Your Lane

'A beautifully written account of an extraordinary story, Raceless is as eye-opening as it is profound.' Otegha Uwagba

‘This is a compelling, incisive and important memoir; both intimate and political. It is not only the story of one woman’s journey to learn the truth of her heritage but also a broader exploration of passing, white privilege, the beauty industry, the DNA testing industry, solo travel as a young woman, and more’ - The Bookseller's Non-Fiction Book of the Month

'Lawton builds a strong story around her attainment of emotional balance and her quest for identity and belonging. At turns revelatory and profound, this memoir sings.' - Publishers Weekly

“… a compelling account that will resonate with many readers.” - Booklist USA

‘Georgina is such a passionate, engaging writer, and I think Raceless is going to be absolutely huge.’ Jenny Colgan

‘An incredibly moving and honest account of self discovery. I found myself weeping at the ways Georgina described grieving for a parent on top of navigating the realisation that her origin story was vastly different from the story she had been told. It isn't often that you come across a story like hers and with every page it felt as though she was letting us in a little bit deeper. What a stunning debut!’ Liv Little

"A beautiful heart-expanding memoir, a truly unforgettable reading experience that will stay with me for a long time." - Emma Gannon

BLACK GIRLS TAKE THE WORLD: The Travel Bible for Black Women with a Severe Case of Wanderlust - Hardie Grant Travel - 15th April 2021

Black Girls Take World is the global travel bible for young women of colour. Packed full of insider knowledge, travel tips and tricks, plus advice on how to handle the pros and cons of travelling when you stand out, this book is the perfect accompaniment for adventurous women with a serious case of wanderlust.

Chapters include 'Why you deserve to travel' and 'How not to travel like a basic bitch', and there are also recommendations for DNA heritage tours, the top 5s for solo travel, advice on how to travel ethically, plus self-care tips to stay safe and deal with micro-aggressions abroad.

Writer and avid traveller Georgina Lawton incorporates her own unique travel experiences, as well as Q&As with other black female travel pioneers. As black travel continues to grow as a collective movement across the world, Black Girls Take World is essential reading for curious travellers seeking both adventure and solace.

Features illustrations by Detroit artist Rachelle Baker.