When Pius Fernandes, a retired schoolteacher living in modern day Dar es Salaam, discovers a diary of a British colonial administrator from 1913, he is drawn into a provocative account of the Asian community of East Africa, and the liaisons, feelings and secrets of its people, over the course of a century.

From the two-time winner of the Giller Prize and author of the international bestseller, The In-Between World of Vikram Lall

"By turns detective story, family saga [and] national history . . . A rich evocative meditation on how and why stories are written." Sunday Times

When Pius Fernandes, a retired schoolteacher living in modernday Dar es Salaam, discovers the diary of a British colonial administrator from 1913, he is drawn into a provocative account of East Africa and the liaisons, feelings and secrets of its people over the course of a century.

"Vassanji captures a wide and authentic perspective that ranks with V.S. Naipaul and Graham Greene . . . a chillingly accurate novel." The Times

"Written with a subtle pen and a compassionate eye . . . in a clear, simple rhythmic language that evokes the inexorable beat of an African drum - an unusual and satisfying read." Sunday Telegraph

"An enchanting book written with wisdom and vision." Herald

When Pius Fernandes, a retired schoolteacher living in modern day Dar es Salaam, discovers a diary of a British colonial administrator from 1913, he is drawn into a provocative account of the Asian community of East Africa, and the liaisons, feelings and secrets of its people, over the course of a century.

Part generational history, part detective story, part social chronicle, M.G. Vassanji's award-winning novel magnificently conjures setting and period as it explores notions of identity and exile.