Review:


This book has two great assets: location and point of view. I am a pushover for novels set in Africa and my critical judgment almost goes out the window with any story in that setting. That being said, it is obvious that the author researched her topic both historically and geographically. The ambiguities that make Africa so enticing, yet frustrating, are effortlessly evoked in the writing.

The shifting character narrative works well for the progression of the story. The reader hears the characters speak their own minds, in the first person, allowing for a variety of outlooks on one event. We follow the different main characters' thoughts as they pursue their mission of bringing Christ to Africa's heathen. This omniscient perspective allows greater understanding of the characters' life choices.

This novel definitely put me under the author's spell. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, despite it being an Oprah book choice.



Reviewed by P. Merritt