Nigerian Igbo twin sisters Olanna and Kainene are as unlike as they can be. Both however, are married/partnered to academics at the Nsukka university; one is an expat Frenchman and the other a Nigerian native, also of the Igbo tribe.

The first part of the book we see lives, plans and relationships unfolding and coming to fruition.

But then there is an outbreak of violence between the northern Nigerian tribes, primarily the Hausa, and the Igbo people. The presidency falls, genocidal massacres occur and suddenly there is no safe place.

The story is told through the lives of the sisters, their partners, a child and a beloved houseboy all who support the secession of the southern part of Nigeria into what they hope will be a new nation of Biafra, where the Igbo can be safe.

But none of the western powers come to the aid of the new nation. The Biafrans fight with homemade weapons and a sense of the justice of their cause. Eventually humanitarian aid is cut off. As well as being killed in constant air raids, the people of Biafra starve.

The end comes with much more bloodshed and there is nothing to do but to be reconstructed back into Nigeria.

This is a truly sweeping searing epic, not only telling the story of the brutalization of war and the failure of what some see as a just cause, but also of the evolution of relationships, and how quickly circumstances can change and lifestyles disappear.

I’ll definitely be reading more of this author, who, in one interview said that Africa’s stories must be told by African authors. ( )

A very detailed look at war in West Africa as seen through the eyes of married academicians, a British ex-pat and his girlfriend, and a houseboy. The book has as much to say about love and loss as it does about war, and it does a good job of interweaving political messages without being overly heavy handed. It's got an epic feel to it so you need to enjoy that type of read. The African names are tough to follow. It probably deserves 5 stars for literary merit, but in terms of enjoyability - - it's more of a 3. ( )

CW: Sexual content. War crimes. Emotional distress.

3.5 Stars ( )

I always have a hard time rating and reviewing books that have important themes or history, but are unsettling to read, or when the characters are realistic and flawed versus idealistic and admirable. This book was both unsettling and had characters who were disappointing. I admit that I started reading this book without looking at the synopsis, so when the book took a 180 from a pleasant story about academic life in Nigeria in the 1960's to civil war I was surprised. I learned some history, the setting of the story is masterfully written, and the narrators in both versions of the audio book I listened to were excellent. ( )

NA ( )