A remarkable, complex and challenging novel that is historical in the strongest sense. The reflections on German, British and French colonialism in West Africa invite and require background reading. And then there is lots of magical realism. ( )

Very ambitious novel about a particular era in Cameroon's history told by a old woman who as a child, lived in the Sultan's court. It's more Salman Rushdie than James Michener - history by way fables, gossip and old wives tales - literally. For me, it fell apart at the end - but I appreciated what it was going for and am excited to have a new African writer to search for. . ( )