"The Old Drift" is a novel by Namwali Serpell that intertwines the lives of three families in Zambia over the course of a century. The story explores themes of love, colonialism, and the impact of history on personal lives, set against the backdrop of the Zambezi River and the changing landscape of the region. The narrative is rich with magical realism, blending historical events with fantastical elements. It features a diverse cast of characters, including a scientist, a hotelier, and a political activist, whose interconnected stories reveal the complexities of identity and belonging in a post-colonial world.