Soma Nami’s Books in Review
By Wendy Njoroge
Wendy Njoroge reviews the compelling novel River Spirit by Leila Aboulela
In the 1880s, the Ottoman Empire, with its seat in Constantinople, stretches all the way to Sudan but teeters on the brink of collapse. In the heart of Africa, along the Nile’s tributaries, the people of Sudan find themselves to be unwilling pawns in a global power struggle. The Turks’ and Egyptians’ hold on Sudan is loosening.
With Britain’s aggressive expansion into Egypt, Sudan becomes an unexpected acquisition—a troublesome, yet strategically valuable prize. On the ground, Ottoman rule has lost popularity and faces increasing resentment. The empire’s oppressive tax system and disregard for local customs have alienated the Sudanese, who suffer under the heavy hand of foreign occupation. The time is ripe for the prophesied savior, the Mahdi, to rise as foretold in the Quran, leading his people to salvation and freedom. From the village farmers to the nomadic camel traders, from the souqs in Khartoum to the banks of the Nile, the people’s angst rises and the sound of war drums resounds.
At the heart of this novel is Akuany, a young girl whose life is shattered when a rival tribe’s slave raid claims her entire family. By a twist of fate, she and her younger brother, Bol, are taken in by a compassionate merchant, Yaseen, who vows to protect them. However, even his best intentions cannot fully shield them from the escalating dangers of a shifting politicallandscape, competing personal interests, and the relentless force of the age-old slave trade. Yaseen is repeatedly thrust against conflicting demands of family, religion, personal ambition, and upholding the true teachings of Islam amid the gathering tide of revolution.
Author Leila Aboulela
In this sweeping historical novel, Leila Aboulela masterfully interweaves personal and political struggles, painting a vivid picture of Sudan at a pivotal moment in its history. From the lush, tropical Nuba Mountains to the bustling steamers on the Nile and the harsh, unforgiving winds of the northern deserts, Aboulela's narrative transports readers across the diverse landscapes of Sudan. Her writing is a heartfelt ode to her homeland, inviting readers to join in the fight for both the characters' and the nation's freedom. Reading River Spirit is like taking a trip back in time in a vessel crafted by one of Sudan’s finest literary voices.
You can find River Spirit by Leila Aboulela and many more titles at Nairobi’s Pan-African bookshop Soma Nami, located in Greenhouse Mall, Ngara & online at www.somanami.co.ke
Follow Soma Nami Books on Instagram!