Our Book Review pick in this edition is Desertion by Abdulrazak Gurnah.
A richly layered novel that explores forbidden love, colonial entanglements, and generational memory across East Africa.
The novel opens in 1899, when Martin Pearce, an English traveller, stumbles out of the desert into a small town near Mombasa.
He’s rescued by Hassanali, a local shopkeeper, and nursed back to health by Hassanali’s sister, Rehana. Pearce and Rehana begin a passionate, illicit affair—one that defies cultural norms and colonial hierarchies.
Let’s join John Agu from our partner station, Albarka Radio in Bauchi, as he breaks down this powerful narrative.
