In German colonial East Africa, the lives of Ilyas, Hamza, and Afiya are irrevocably shaped by war, displacement, and the complexities of human connection. Ilyas, forcibly taken by German colonial troops as a child, returns years later to a village where his family is gone. Hamza, sold into military service, seeks a new life and the love of Afiya, Ilyas's sister, whom he finds living under new circumstances. Their paths intertwine, as they navigate love, work, and belonging, all against the looming shadow of a new global conflict that threatens to engulf their world once more.

Why You Should Read?

• Explore a compelling and rarely told history of East Africa under German colonial rule.
• Delve into a deeply human story of survival, identity, and the lasting impact of war and displacement.
• Experience the exquisite literary voice of Nobel Prize laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah.
• Witness a powerful narrative that intertwines personal destinies with the larger currents of history and empire.