Desertion A Novel
Desertion A Novel by Abdulrazak Gurnah is a compelling narrative published by Penguin on September 5, 2023. This 336-page work explores the intricate consequences of an illicit love affair set against the backdrop of the British Empire and the aftermath of African independence. The story begins in 1899 when Martin Pearce, an Englishman, collapses in an East African coastal town and is cared for by local shopkeeper Hassanali’s sister, Rehana. Their relationship ignites a series of events that resonate through time, highlighting the personal and political legacies of colonialism.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of themes woven throughout the narrative, including the complexities of love and the impact of colonial history. Gurnah’s storytelling delves into the intertwining lives of characters whose choices lead to unforeseen and dramatic consequences. This edition, presented in English, invites readers to engage with the profound implications of the past on the present, making it a significant addition to the realms of fiction and world literature, particularly in the context of East Africa.
Official synopsis Publisher
A masterwork by the 2021 Nobel Prize winner in Literature, in which the consequences of an illicit love affair reverberate from the heyday of the British empire to the aftermath of African independence
Early one morning in 1899, an Englishman named Martin Pearce stumbles out of the desert into an East African coastal town and collapses at the feet of Hassanali, a local shopkeeper. When Hassanali’s sister, the beautiful and disillusioned Rehana, nurses Pearce back to health, a love affair sparks, with consequences that will ripple decades into the future, when another clandestine affair bursts into flame, with equally unforeseen and dramatic consequences. In this devastating and ingeniously spun tale, the Nobelist Abdulrazak Gurnah brilliantly dramatizes the personal and political legacies of colonialism.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Desertion A Novel” about?
Who is the author of “Desertion A Novel”?
When was “Desertion A Novel” published?
What is the ISBN for “Desertion A Novel”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
