Hope

Brazzaville Beach by William Boyd

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


One of my favourite books of all time, and I dont have favourites. These early Africa-centric novels by Boyd far outstrip his later stuff for me. Hope Clearwater is his most three dimensional female lead, fearless, blunt, curious and stubborn. She deals with everything life throws her and in a way that is real. She doesn't do anything superhuman except survive but the tension is such that even on rereading this several times, I have read through the night. A wonderful book. Its a pity the new cover showing a woman in a red dress is so far removed from the ethos of the story and the woman herself. Shame on you Penguin.



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