River Spirit - Leila Aboulela
The story takes place in 19th century Sudan. Akuany and her little brother Bol have been orphaned in a village raid and taken in by their late father’s friend, a young merchant Yaseen. First living with Yaseen’s sister, later enslaved, Akuany has to adjust to her frequently changing circumstances. At the same time a self proclaimed Mahdi prepares to claim power, and people around Akuany end up on different sides of the conflict.
When Akuany gets older her relationship with Yaseen evolves. The Mahdi revolution keeps tearing them apart, yet they are drawn to each other and stay close against all odds.
The writing is absolutely magical; it is descriptive yet not entirely direct. We learn about the atrocities of war but they are presented in a way that is not overly explicit or dramatic.
The story takes place in 19th century Sudan. Akuany and her little brother Bol have been orphaned in a village raid and taken in by their late father’s friend, a young merchant Yaseen. First living with Yaseen’s sister, later enslaved, Akuany has to adjust to her frequently changing circumstances. At the same time a self proclaimed Mahdi prepares to claim power, and people around Akuany end up on different sides of the conflict.
When Akuany gets older her relationship with Yaseen evolves. The Mahdi revolution keeps tearing them apart, yet they are drawn to each other and stay close against all odds.
The writing is absolutely magical; it is descriptive yet not entirely direct. We learn about the atrocities of war but they are presented in a way that is not overly explicit or dramatic.
The story takes place in 19th century Sudan. Akuany and her little brother Bol have been orphaned in a village raid and taken in by their late father’s friend, a young merchant Yaseen. First living with Yaseen’s sister, later enslaved, Akuany has to adjust to her frequently changing circumstances. At the same time a self proclaimed Mahdi prepares to claim power, and people around Akuany end up on different sides of the conflict.
When Akuany gets older her relationship with Yaseen evolves. The Mahdi revolution keeps tearing them apart, yet they are drawn to each other and stay close against all odds.
The writing is absolutely magical; it is descriptive yet not entirely direct. We learn about the atrocities of war but they are presented in a way that is not overly explicit or dramatic.
