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The African Equation

The African Equation

by Yasmina Khadra

Translated by Howard Curtis

Published by: Gallic Books Limited

Imprint: Gallic Books

336 Pages, 5.00 x 7.00 in

Paperback
9781908313706
Published: March 2015

$15.95

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A giant of francophone writing, Algerian author Yasmina Khadra uses current events as a lens to examine narratives of Africa and the West.

'A skilled storyteller working at the height of his powers' Times Literary Supplement

Frankfurt MD Kurt Krausmann is devastated by his wife's suicide. Unable to make sense of what happened, Kurt agrees to join his friend Hans on a humanitarian mission to the Comoros. But, sailing down the Red Sea, their boat is boarded by Somali pirates and the men are taken hostage.

The arduous journey to the pirates' desert hideout is only the beginning of Kurt's odyssey. He endures imprisonment and brutality at the hands of captors whose failings are all too human.

As the situation deteriorates, it is fellow prisoner, Bruno, a long-time resident in Africa, who shows Kurt another side to the wounded yet defiant continent he loves.

Yasmina Khadra is the author of more than 20 novels, including The Swallows of Kabul and The Attack, both shortlisted for the IMPAC literary award. Khadra's work has been published in 45 countries. He has twice been honoured by the Académie française, winning both the Médaille de vermeil (2001) and Grand Prix de littérature (2012).

Howard Curtis's many translations from French and Italian include works by Balzac, Flaubert, Pirandello, Jean-Claude Izzo, Marek Halter, and Gianrico Carofiglio.

'Khadra brings us deep into the hearts and minds of people living in unspeakable mental anguish' Los Angeles Times

'A skilled storyteller working at the height of his powers' Times Literary Supplement

'Like all the great storytellers of history, [Khadra] espouses the contradictions of his characters, who carry in themselves the entirety of the human condition' Le Point

'Algerian author Khadra (pen name of Mohammed Moulessehoul) shows us the dark side of Africa, but also one tinged with hope' Ultraviolent Lit

'Yasmina Khadra takes current events as a starting point to explore opposing views and myths of Africa and the West, ultimately delivering a powerful message of friendship, resilience, and redemption' Africa Book Club.com

'Polemic, but well worth reading' Zeb Kantrowitz, blogger

'The African Equation's translator, Howard Curtis, seems to have captured the essence of Khadra's thoughts on the beauty and brutality of Africa' The Star

'World-class' The Independent

The African Equation

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