Lombe is working as a civil servant in a young African state. His prospects are good since he got a job at a ministry, but he has some problems to move at the slippery grounds he entered by that. Of course, he gets into trouble: Because he fails in doing his minister the favour he asked for: this is arranging a sexual adventure with the sister of Lombe's Indian friend Chaudry, accusations of corruption and commiting treason of official secrecies are risen against Lombe. This would be sufficient to bother Lombe, but in addition his girl friend Miria has vanished and Chaudry's sister much attracts him. So his private life is in trouble, too. He decides to return to his home village to wait for the opening of the trial. Back in town everything seems to happen at once, and Lombe is forced to sort out his life anew ...

The novel is told straightforward and in a simple language. Mainly it's centered around Lombe, his feelings and thoughts. The other characters are only extra and providers of cues. Considering this the limited length of the novel was an advantage, because otherwise Lombe would most likely have become unbearable - I didn't find him especially likeable in any case.

Nevertheless Rubadiri had chosen him well as a character to show - by Lombe's milieu and the way he's behaving in it - what the bureaucracy in these young states is suffering from. His statements might be mainly related to his native land Malawi but they fit for other states on the continent as well. The criticism of the former independence fighters who now settle into luxury, bandy slogans around and repeat the behaviours they formerly fought against to secure their own advantage, is obvious, the end logical.

The personal relationship between Lombe and Miria, running through the book, has parallels to the main story. However, Lombe is reacting more "traditional" despite being torn between different values and courses of action. So he has to get along with a bitter end on this. To clarify the African point of view Rubadiri contrasts Lombe's opinions with the thoughts of the Indian Chaudry. This interplay sheds light on the differences of mentality, and I had the impression that Rubadiri is not happy with all of the African behaviours, although he doesn't critizes them as explicitly as the political part.

Many thanks for the book.

I can only agree to that, what Aldawen has already written in a very better English than mine.

Macht sich demnächst auf den Weg zu nistbr per Post.

Got the book from holle77 today.
Thanks for sending. Will keep you updated.

Edit 06.01.2018
I have no reason, why I needed such a Long time to read this book.
Its an easy to read Story, which ist neither complicated in language nor understanding. It was okay to read in the bus on the way to work, but it was no Highlight.
Everything else, has alredy been mentiond by Torgin.

This book Counts in the 1 year = 1 country challenge for Malawi.
Now it is ready to travel with the next Aftica box.

Geht für die Challenge auf die Reise zu book-a-billi.

Viel Spaß beim lesen und wieder frei lassen.
Melde dich mal wieder, liebes Buch. Erzähl einfach, wie es dir bei deinem neuen Leser gefällt.

Veel leesplezier !
Bonne lecture !
Happy reading !

The book - together with its travelling companions - arrived today. Thanks a lot. I'm already looking forward to reading it.