I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author Otis L. Lee’s “The Last Train from Djibouti,” two women struggle with identity as they travel to Africa.

The Synopsis

“The Last Train from Djibouti is an odyssey you will not forget.” —Larry Bechtel, author of The Tinsmith’s Apprentice and sculptor

Otis Lee begins this story in the most innocuous of locations: a train from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Penn Station in New York City. But for Otis this journey brings to mind another train, from long ago and far away—representative of a past to which there can be no return. Based on the true experiences of Dr. Michelle Palmer Lee and her mentor, Dr. Harriett F.  Karuhije, The Last Train From Djibouti follows two women on a life-changing adventure as they travel separately to the Motherland, determined to find Africa and themselves. What they find is nothing like what they expected. As these two women grapple with questions of identity and character, what emerges is a larger picture of what it means to undertake an “unrequited return.” Weaving entries from Michelle’s journal and Harriett’s observations together with his own research and experience, Otis depicts a microcosm of the African-American struggle to find roots in a culture that has been upended, shipped overseas, and become something new.

The Review

This was a thoughtful and engaging story. The author does a remarkable job of capturing the heart and drive of this narrative, speaking to the struggles of so many with the history and experiences their ancestors held when pulled away from their families at the height of the slave trade, and the need for identity when connecting to one’s roots. The presentation of this story and the author’s writing style are powerful and heartfelt, showing both detail and a deep understanding of the history of both America and Africa. 

It was great to see the author not only in the role of narrator throughout this narrative, but also in the depths of emotions. This is based on a true story that unfolds through the characters Michelle and Harriett. The struggles they both face when their expectations of their experiences are mired by their disillusionment when confronted with life’s realities make this a complex and engaging read. Yet the hopeful tone of the community they both found there and the realization of their experiences growing up in a more Western culture redefining what home truly is, made this a remarkable story to get lost in.

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging, author Otis L. Lee Jr.’s “The Last Train from Djibouti” is a must-read. The amount of history balances out the rich character development and heartfelt delivery of the experiences shared in this narrative by the authors, keeping this a book readers won’t want to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Otis L. Lee, Jr., a remarkable African-American individual, defied the barriers imposed by segregation and Jim Crow laws to achieve remarkable personal and professional accomplishments. Mr. Lee made significant contributions as a co-author in a 1980 project by the Howard University School of Business, which involved revising and editing the U.S. Department of Commerce manual titled “Local Economic Development Corporation, Legal and Financial Guidelines.”

He was a member of both the Pennsylvania and Virginia Bar Associations. He also contributed his expertise to several universities in the Midwest and along the East Coast. Otis’s distinguished professional journey included significant roles, such as serving as a Trust New Business Solicitor at the Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago, Illinois, as well as consulting the Mid-Atlantic Region Advanced Underwriting for the New York Life Insurance Company. Furthermore, Lee was the Associate Director of the Center For Small Business and served as a Panel Executive for the Panel on Product Liability for the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

A retired attorney, he has now transitioned into an author who uses his powerful insights and experiences to inspire others. Through his writings, captivating video shorts, and engaging speaking engagements, Otis Lee, Jr. enlightens audiences with his unique perspective on resilience and triumph over adversity.

Lee’s 2013 debut memoir, “From South Boston to Cambridge: the Making of One Philadelphia Lawyer”, intricately weaves together a captivating narrative that chronicles his relentless pursuit of success, overcoming one obstacle after another. Within its pages, readers traverse alongside Lee, sharing in his profound emotions and experiences.

Published in 2019’s “The Last Train From Djibouti”, the story begins from an unassuming, yet metaphorical, location: a train voyage originating in Charlottesville, Virginia, bound for New York City’s Penn Station. For Otis, this journey recalls another train’s journey from distant times in a location many miles from home. Drawing inspiration from the accounts of Dr. Michelle Palmer Lee and her mentor, Dr. Harriett F. Karuhije, “The Last Train From Djibouti” brings us alongside these two women on a transformative odyssey, each embarking independently to the Motherland, spurred by a resolute desire to connect with Africa and self discovery. By artfully expositing passages from Michelle’s journal and Harriett’s recounting, Otis portrays a microcosm of the African-American struggle to unearth roots within a culture that underwent upheaval, crossed oceans and emerged anew.

Coming in 2024, Otis Lee’s latest title “Black Spartacus, I Was Born in the Forest: A Traveler’s Guide to Quilombo, Maroon Societies in Brazil” embodies the struggle for liberty by Africans who were transported to the Americas aboard slave ships, hailing from regions like Congo, Angola, and other parts of Central Africa.

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