Life in an Air-Conditioned Hell: A Memoir Full of Stories Of The Sixth Born African Child In A Family of Twelve

Ever felt invisible in your own home? Try being number six of twelve.

In Life in an Air-Conditioned Hell, a Black British coming-of-age memoir, Michael Bantu-Khoe, rooted in both Bantu and Khoe heritage, opens the door to a big, boisterous African household and the humour, heartbreak, and grit it takes to be the middle child who refuses to disappear.

From hand-me-down dramas to dinner-table diplomacy, Michael captures the chaos and warmth of growing up as the sixth-born in a family of twelve. These sharply drawn, laugh-then-think stories explore identity, belonging, and the strange gift of being overlooked: when no one expects much, you learn to surprise everyone—including yourself.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Big-family snapshots that are as hilarious as they are tender

• A proud celebration of mixed heritage—Bantu (mother) and Khoe (father)

• Middle-child truths for anyone who’s ever felt unseen

• Coming-of-age moments balancing wit with hard-won wisdom

Perfect for readers of Born a Crime and My Name Is Why who love voice-driven memoirs about culture, identity, and resilience. Dive in for the humour, stay for the heart, and maybe find a piece of your own story along the way.