Description
Description
The new novel from the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature – ‘a maestro’
(Guardian). A captivating story of the intertwined lives of three young people coming
of-age in postcolonial East Africa
Selected as a book to look out for in 2025 by the Guardian, Observer, Irish Times and
BBC
What are we given, and what do we have to take for ourselves?
It is the 1990s. Growing up in Zanzibar, three very different young people – Karim, Fauzia
and Badar – are coming of age, and dreaming of great possibilities in their young
nation. But for Badar, an uneducated servant boy who has never known his parents, it
seems as if all doors are closed.
Brought into a lowly position in a great house in Dar es Salaam, Badar finds the first true
home of his life – and the friendship of Karim, the young man of the house. Even when a
shattering false accusation sees Badar sent away, Karim and Fauzia refuse to turn
away from their friend.
But as the three of them take their first steps in love, infatuation, work and parenthood,
their bond is tested – and Karim is tempted into a betrayal that will change all of their
lives forever.
