Desertion

A Novel

By: Abdulrazak Gurnah

Narrated by: Damian Lynch

Writing at the peak of his powers, Abdulrazak Gurnah gives us in Desertion a spellbinding novel of forbidden love and cultural upheaval, with consequences powerfully reverberating through three generations and across continents—from the heyday of the British empire to the aftermath of African independence.

Early one morning in 1899, in a small, dilapidated town along the coast of Mombassa, a Muslim man, Hassanali, sets out for a mosque but doesn’t get there. Out of the desert stumbles an Englishman who collapses at Hassanali’s feet: Martin Pearce—writer, traveler, something of an Orientalist. Hassanali cares for Pearce until
the Englishman is taken to the home of colonial officer Frederick Turner to recuperate. When Pearce returns to thank his Good Samaritan, he meets and is enraptured by Rehana, Hassanali’s sister—by her gorgeous eyes and tragic aura. And so begins the passionate, illicit love affair—two lives and cultures colliding—that informs the rich, finely woven tapestry of Desertion.

Gurnah, who has been short-listed for the Booker Prize, deftly and dramatically evokes the personal and political scandals of empire, the weight of tradition—of religion and culture—in everyday lives, the role of women in Muslim society, the vicissitudes of love, the complexities of filial relationships, the inexorability of miscegenation, and the power of fiction to charm and to harm. Desertion is a highly achieved, riveting work of imagination, brimming with controlled figural inventiveness, psychological acuity, and moral complexity.


Cover art by Lubaina Himid/ Hollybush Gardens

Critic reviews

“An admirable achievement. . . . A serious inquiry into the nature of love, race and empire.” –San Francisco Chronicle“Affecting. . . . Gurnah perfectly renders the breathless exhilaration of first love and his characters–pulled from a time and place that seem to come from firsthand experience–seem true to life.”–The Christian Science Monitor“Gurnah writes beautifully: The brief affair between Amin and Jamila all but burns on the page.”–Los Angeles Times Book Review“Here is a writer at the top of his form, who commands a strong sense of narrative, a meticulous eye for family dynamics, and an understanding of the corrosive psychology of colonialism.” –The Seattle Times“Beautiful, elegial. . . . As seductive as the Zanzibar shore it describes.” —The Boston Globe

Rich And Evocative Reading Experience!

In "Desertion," Abdulrazak Gurnah crafts a narrative that is as rich in history as it is in emotional depth. The novel intricately explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of identity through the lives of its characters, set against the backdrop of Zanzibar's colonial past.
Gurnah's unique talent lies in his ability to weave personal stories with broader historical contexts, creating a tapestry that invites readers to reflect on the interplay between individual lives and the forces of history. His prose is both lyrical and poignant, capturing the nuances of human experience with remarkable clarity.
As I journeyed through the pages, I was captivated by the characters’ struggles and triumphs, their desires and regrets. Gurnah's exploration of desertion—both literal and emotional—resonated deeply with me, highlighting the profound impact of choices made in moments of vulnerability.
What I enjoyed most was how Gurnah invites us to consider the complexities of belonging and the weight of the past on our present. His narrative lingers long after the final page, prompting introspection and a deeper understanding of the human condition. This novel is a testament to Gurnah's exceptional storytelling ability, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a rich and evocative reading experience.
Michael Paul