First published 2017
In Sudan, political upheaval follows a deadly plane crash that kills a prominent leader. The country spirals into chaos as citizens grapple with uncertainty and violence. Meanwhile, in southern India, a pleasure-seeking expatriate from London's Soho district finds himself unexpectedly drawn to thoughts of distant conflict. He begins to imagine the sound and trajectory of artillery fire, the rise and fall of explosives in battle zones far from his current reality. These stories span continents and circumstances, each exploring how individuals respond when their familiar worlds shift beneath them. Characters confront moments of crisis that force them to reckon with forces beyond their control. The collection examines how people adapt, resist, or surrender when faced with political turmoil, personal displacement, and the intrusion of violence into everyday life. Each tale captures the tension between safety and danger, comfort and chaos.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: characters-in-crisis, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Sudan, India, Soho
Period: contemporary
304 pages · Paperback · Fourth Estate
Content warnings: violence