Guernica Editions
subscribe
search the site
Land for Fatimah (Kindle)
Guernica Editions, Spring 2018
292 pages
Kindle (eBook)
ISBN13: 9781771832717
ISBN10: 1771832711
English
$10.95 Canada, $10.95 US
Four strong women: Anjali, an Indo-Canadian single mother who eagerly accepts an African posting with her non-profit organization; Grace, her dedicated but dominating colleague, who opposes her; Fatimah, a farmer ousted from her home and fertile farmland, whom Anjali befriends; and Mary, Anjali's kindly maid, who must secure the future of her son, Gabriel. In Land for Fatimah, Anjali involves herself in Fatimah's quest to find new land for her scattered community, and is thrown into a web of intrigue that upturns her safe, orderly world. Capturing the warmth and vitality of Africa, illuminating everyday heroism, the novel explores expat life, the forced displacement of the poor and the complexities of development.
On the eve of their departure from Ferun, a slow burning anger claimed Fatimah. All this time, there had only been anguish over the multiple losses -- land, home, family -- lost, broken, scattered. That night she made a resolution that she would find a way to bring them all together again.
Erudite and engaging. The characters are drawn with empathy and compassion. The tension between the exigencies of justice and the demands of bureaucracy is aptly depicted. The protagonist, Anjali, is a complex, multidimensional character, admirable for her attempts to put principle ahead of pragmatism.
H. Nigel Thomas
The story hit many of those bitter sweet moments you have when trying to make a difference against all odds. I know anybody who has worked in a developing country or with an NGO will love the book.
Andra Tamburro, Former Director at Water Advocates
Reviews
-
Land for Fatimah
Montreal Serai - April 1, 2018
Links
Books by Veena Gokhale
