First Blood

Based on the true story of Patrick Nothomb, who was taken hostage by rebels in the Republic of the Congo in 1964 and negotiated with his captors to save the lives of 1500 citizens, "The Hostage" is a film about the power of negotiation and the resilience of the human spirit.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

The Republic of the Congo, 1964. A young man stands on the precipice of his final moment, his eyes fixed upon the firing squad that awaits him. In the depths of his contemplation, he revisits the memories of his childhood, marked by the absence of a distant mother, and the pivotal moments that have brought him to this moment of existential crisis.

Patrick Nothomb, a young diplomat of 28 years, finds himself ensnared in a harrowing ordeal when he becomes a captive alongside thousands of others in Stanleyville, now known as Kisangani, at the hands of rebel forces. For four arduous months, Nothomb engages in daily negotiations with his captors, tirelessly striving to secure the lives of 1500 fellow citizens.

Driven by the profound influence of his father, who tragically succumbed to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amélie Nothomb steps into her father's shoes, determined to give voice to his remarkable story. Through her writing, she weaves a poignant narrative that captures the essence of resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 128g
Dimension: 134 x 210 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787704473