First published 1987
Chris works within the government while his friend Ikem writes dangerous truths and Beatrice moves between both worlds. All three serve under His Excellency, a Sandhurst-trained President whose military regime tightens its grip on the fictional nation of Kangan. The friends try to maintain their bonds while surviving in a system built on oppression and fear. Each day tests their loyalty to each other as the regime demands compromise and silence. Chris must balance his official duties with his conscience. Ikem risks everything by speaking out through his journalism. Beatrice watches both men struggle with impossible choices. The three discover that friendship itself becomes an act of resistance when the state views all relationships as potential threats. Their story unfolds against the broader sweep of modern African history, where colonial legacies shape present struggles. Despite the crushing weight of political oppression, the characters search for ways to preserve love and hope.
Genres: fiction, african-literature, contemporary, political-thriller
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, friends-to-lovers
Setting: Kangan
Period: modern
233 pages · Hardcover · Heinemann
Content warnings: colonialism