The emotional landscapes in this collection powerfully reflect the disorientation of Africa amid the rise of local governance. Featuring unique characters and astonishing events, the stories blend reality with fiction, offering a chilling yet captivating exploration of the continent's complexities.
Correspondent Tom Craig, based in South Africa, travels to Malawi to revisit Joss, with whom he had a passionate affair some years back. But he discovers she's been murdered and an impostor has taken her place at the ambassador's side. Unbeknownst to him, Craig's had a daughter by Joss. He sorts out the mystery and is able to kidnap the daughter who's in mortal danger.
Set against the backdrop of post-independence turmoil in the Congo, the narrative explores Kivu, which enjoyed a fleeting period of tranquility amidst the surrounding chaos of rebellion and violence following Belgium's departure in 1960. This "little paradise" offers a stark contrast to the escalating conflicts, highlighting the region's brief respite before being engulfed by the unfolding strife and disorder.
"Frederic Hunter takes us to Belgian Congo, portraying colonial administration of millions of Congolese and the uprising instigated by a healer who has broken no laws, yet directly challenges the authority of the ruling Belgian government. Governor-general Count Lippens must deal with this challenge and appease the ruling class in the Congo"-- Provided by publisher
A YEAR AT THE EDGE OF THE JUNGLE tells the story of Fred's time there. It also examines the predicament of the young Belgian couple whose friendship rescues him from loneliness and hardship. They stand to lose everything they've tried to build. As the danger grows, USIS makes Coq a two-man post. The senior officer sent in detests the place. Fearful of the danger, he orders a premature evacuation, tainting American standing in Coq. Fred lobbies to return. The embassy sends him back, again alone. A YEAR AT THE EDGE OF THE JUNGLE makes compelling reading about a young man serving as "the American presence" in a remote and hazardous part of the developing world.
Elizabeth Jenkins, a 17-year-old raised in a Congo mission station, escapes an impending marriage to the much older station doctor just hours before the wedding. Her flight leads her to Nairobi, where she faces the challenges of being a single woman in a perilous environment. The novel explores her journey across two continents as she navigates love and self-discovery, encountering three lovers along the way, all while seeking a life of her own.
The collection features interconnected stories that explore the lives of expatriates in Africa, highlighting their diverse experiences and encounters with the continent's rich culture and enigmatic landscapes. Characters include an African king, a missing girl in the Congo, a Belgian planter grappling with his past, and a journalist building a new life in Nairobi. Each narrative delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of life in Africa, offering a vivid portrayal of the continent's impact on those who inhabit it.