In Justin Cartwright's fourth, immaculately written novel, a journalist and filmmaker tells the story of his attempt to unravel the mystery of his father's ill-fated expedition to Africa in 1959.

'Dodging the vested interests of the Ngwenya clan, his wayward wife Magdan and the colonial dinosaur Jumbo Munroe, the narrator embarks on a quasi-biblical quest . . . a tale that hits the ground running and continues at a vigorous pace. This is one of the shrewdest and most diverting novels about Africa one could hope to read.' Daily Telegraph

'The Narrator of this immaculately written book is a journalist and film-maker investigating the disappearance of his father in Africa in 1959 while on a trip for National Geographic in the company of the lovestruck Mrs de Luth. Certain of the locals belief he is still alive somewhere in the mountainous interior, having been adopted by the Ofreo tribe, a strange and venerable caste of master-craftsmen.

About the Author
Born in South Africa, Justin Cartwright lived in Britain after studying at Trinity College, Oxford. He worked in advertising and directed documentaries, films and television commercials, and wrote seventeen novels. They include the Booker-shortlisted In Every Face I Meet, the Whitbread Novel Award-winner Leading the Cheers, the acclaimed White Lightning, shortlisted for the 2002 Whitbread Novel Award, The Promise of Happiness, winner of the 2005 Hawthornden Prize, The Song Before It Is Sung, To Heaven By Water, Other People's Money, Lion Heart and Up Against the Night. His novel Look At It This Way was made into a three-part drama by the BBC in 1992, and he also published three works of non-fiction. He died in December 2018.

Reviews
Dodging the vested interests of the Ngwenya clan, his wayward wife Magdan and the colonial dinosaur Jumbo Munroe, the narrator embarks on a quasi-biblical quest that owes more to Waugh and Ballard than Rider Haggard, a tale that hits the ground running and continues at a vigorous pace. This is one of the shrewdest and most diverting novels about Africa one could hope to read. * Daily Telegraph *
A masterly and delightful book * The Sunday Times *
A fine book ... extremely well written. * Independent *
A marvellously gripping, stylish and intelligent adventure story ... completely fresh and original. * Sunday Express *
A wondrous journey into the interior of the African spirit, cooly humorous and thought-provoking ... A masterly and delightful book. * The Sunday Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340767610
Author Justin Cartwright
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Sceptre
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 178g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 129mm * 17mm