Ghost Season

Fatin Abbas' debut novel "Ghost Season" is a dynamic, beautifully orchestrated debut novel connecting five characters caught in the crosshairs of conflict on the Sudanese border. The discovery of a burnt corpse foreshadows trouble to come, and the characters must forge bonds stronger than blood or identity to survive. Abbas explores the porous and perilous nature of borders and the profound consequences for those who cross them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2023
Publisher: Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd

A captivating debut novel by Fatin Abbas, "Ghost Season" delves into the complexities of identity, art, humanitarian aid, and the tumultuous landscape of Sudan. Set in a remote border town between northern and southern Sudan, the story unfolds as a mysterious burnt corpse appears, setting off a series of events that intertwine the lives of five strangers on an NGO compound.

South Sudanese translator William connects the corpse to the sudden disappearance of cook Layla, a northern nomad with whom he has fallen in love. Meanwhile, Sudanese American filmmaker Dena struggles to connect to her unfamiliar homeland, and white midwestern aid worker Alex finds his plans thwarted by a changing climate and looming civil war.

Dancing between the adults is Mustafa, a clever and endearing twelve-year-old, whose schemes to rise out of poverty set off cataclysmic events on the compound.

Amid the paradoxes of identity, art, humanitarian aid, and a territory riven by conflict, William, Layla, Dena, Alex, and Mustafa must forge bonds stronger than blood or identity.

Through a sweeping history of the breakup of Sudan, Abbas explores the porous and perilous nature of borders, whether they be national, ethnic, or religious, and the profound consequences for those who cross them.

"Ghost Season" is a gripping and vivid debut that announces Abbas as a powerful new voice in fiction. It is a testament to the resilience and humanity of the characters as they navigate the complexities of a divided world, seeking solace, love, and a sense of belonging amidst the chaos.

Dimension: 240 x 159 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914344763