In the Shadow of Kirinyaga: Novel

By Sophia Mustafa and Sophia M.

Thirteen-year-old Shaira, bright and ambitious, is to be engaged to a young Asian doctor, Mussavir - who has jouned a volunteer medical corps to serve in Ethiopia (Abyssinia), defending itself from Mussolini's Italian army. Neither of them has much choice, but when the two meet, their apprehesions fall and apart and they fall in love. The engagement takes place, Mussavir sets off for the Ethiopian front, and an unexpectedly cruel fate unfolds for the couple.

This beatuful novel reveals a rare insight into life in early colonial Kenya, from the perspective of an Asian Muslim family. The poignant story of the young Shaira, her innocence caught in the web of larger events, adult concerns, and a restrictive tradition, is sure to capture the heart.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 189477003X
• ISBN13: 9781894770033
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Tsar Publications
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Romance in Kenya

This was a very lovely book about Asians Muslims in Kenya, and centred around the romance between Mussavir and Shaira. In a twist on the classic boy meets girl story, Mussavir and Shaira are brought together without much say on their parts, but end up falling in love. Distance and socio-political events conspire to keep them apart, and an unexpected fate unfolds for the couple. Mustafa is able to sustain the suspense well, and goes into much detail when describing everyday events. The colourful descriptions of festivities and food are quite wonderful, making one feel like they were right there participating in the feasts alongside the Bashirs (Mussavir's family). This was a pleasant read, and it is great to see different voices emerge into the Western literary canon.