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catrad's review
4.0
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book through Goodreads. I'll be honest, it's probably not a book I would have picked up had I not won it. However, I found it a thought-provoking and engrossing read. Timothy Smith has created such a vivid fictional African country here it's almost impossible to believe that it's not a real place. The characters are well rounded and detailed with good back stories, and the story is well paced. It deals with love, lust, friendship, family and the truly terrifying situations characters have to deal with in a sensitive manner and fascinating detail. I enjoyed the development of Cooper's relationships throughout the book, and I really felt I was seeing another part of the world through his eyes.
ezichinny's review against another edition
3.0
This audiobook was quite heavy for me given the current state of political affairs. But as an African woman, I was really interested in the story because there was definitely many things I could relate to.
The country Lalanga was fictitious but it could almost be any third world country with a valuable resource like diamonds or oil. The hero, Army Officer Cooper Chance opts to remain in Lalanga while the rest of his squad returned because he fears going to jail when he returns to the US. He becomes immersed in the village life when he forms a bond with Lulay, a prostitute, and takes on the role of her protector. He gave her guidance on how to deal with rough clients, those who wouldn't pay, and those who wouldn't wear protection etc. He threatened or took care of who violated Lulay and her fellow workers.
To make money, Cooper began trading in the diamond business, a very treacherous undertaking, and that's where he connected with Sadiq, the young son of diamond connect. This relationship was interesting because they were both lost in purpose and romantically, so the loneliness was part of their attraction. Homosexuality wasn't acceptable in this community so they hid their feelings and did their best to avoid detection.
Homosexuality, diamond trading, human trafficking, poverty, political machinations of the American military in another country were all themes touched on in this audiobook. While the topics are heavy, they are real and they are well discussed in the context of this narrative.
I was rooting for Cooper to find his way and to go home with something to show for his struggles. He deserved some happiness but I can take solace in that Cooper grew in understanding of how power, money and politics controlled leadership and conflicts. It was an interesting audiobook, just too sad for me right now.
Special Thanks to the author for the audiobook
The country Lalanga was fictitious but it could almost be any third world country with a valuable resource like diamonds or oil. The hero, Army Officer Cooper Chance opts to remain in Lalanga while the rest of his squad returned because he fears going to jail when he returns to the US. He becomes immersed in the village life when he forms a bond with Lulay, a prostitute, and takes on the role of her protector. He gave her guidance on how to deal with rough clients, those who wouldn't pay, and those who wouldn't wear protection etc. He threatened or took care of who violated Lulay and her fellow workers.
To make money, Cooper began trading in the diamond business, a very treacherous undertaking, and that's where he connected with Sadiq, the young son of diamond connect. This relationship was interesting because they were both lost in purpose and romantically, so the loneliness was part of their attraction. Homosexuality wasn't acceptable in this community so they hid their feelings and did their best to avoid detection.
Homosexuality, diamond trading, human trafficking, poverty, political machinations of the American military in another country were all themes touched on in this audiobook. While the topics are heavy, they are real and they are well discussed in the context of this narrative.
I was rooting for Cooper to find his way and to go home with something to show for his struggles. He deserved some happiness but I can take solace in that Cooper grew in understanding of how power, money and politics controlled leadership and conflicts. It was an interesting audiobook, just too sad for me right now.
Special Thanks to the author for the audiobook
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