The African Equation

Starred review from February 1, 2015

In this latest from Khadra (The Swallows of Kabul), Kurt Krausmann's world is deeply shaken by the suicide of his beautiful wife, whom he adored. So severely depressed that he can no longer work in his medical practice and seeking to distract himself from his grief, Kurt accepts an offer from his friend, millionaire industrialist Hans Makkenroth, to join him on a humanitarian mission to the Comoros on his private boat. As they sail to the island nation in the Indian Ocean, Hans and Kurt are kidnapped by Somali pirates who attempt to obtain a ransom for Hans. During their captivity, Kurt falls in love with fellow physician Elena Juarez while also befriending Bruno, who is French by birth but prefers to live in Africa. Bruno shows Kurt another side of the African people he greatly admires, calling them "an enduring flame that brightened and revived them every time the darkness tried to overwhelm them." VERDICT Despite some abrupt transitions in the last section of the story, this is a memorable tale of resilience and redemption, reminding us what it means to be alive. Reading groups will devour this excellent work.--Lisa Rohrbaugh, Leetonia Community P.L., OH

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