Igboland launches today!

Today, 19th February, is the ebook launch of 'Igboland' from the pen of my Crooked Cat friend - Jeff Gardiner.

This is an excellent read which I particularly recommend to anyone who is interested in the history of Africa.I love learning through my novel reading and this book didn't disappoint me.

Blurb

A NEW LIFE THOUSANDS OF MILES FROM HOME
Lydia and Clem Davie arrive in an Igbo village in Nigeria in July 1967 just as civil war breaks out, but Lydia has trouble adjusting to life in West Africa: a place so unfamiliar and far away from everything she truly understands.
Initially, most of the locals are welcoming and friendly, until one or two begin a frightening campaign of anti-white protests. Lydia's life is changed irrevocably after she meets enigmatic Igbo doctor, Kwemto, and war victim, Grace. Through them Lydia learns about independence, passion and personal identity. Conflict and romance create emotional highs and lows for Lydia, whose marriage and personal beliefs slowly begin to crumble.
Will this house in a Nigerian bush village ever seem like home?

image acquired from Jeff's Facebook launch party page.

Jeff Gardiner is author of 'MYOPIA', a novel about bullying and prejudice. Jerry is bullied for wearing glasses, but soon comes to realise that being short-sighted is not necessarily a disability. He learns a great deal about himself and about the boy making his life a misery.
Jeff is also author of 'A Glimpse of the Numinous' - a collection of short stories (horror, humour, romance and slipstream). One review stated: "... his stories are genuinely fascinating, weird and original."

Here's what I thought on reading 'Igboland'...

Igboland by Jeff Gardiner - 5 stars

This was a great read! I like to learn something new in a novel and Igboland did this very admirably. The political struggles in Africa, especially in Nigeria, are displayed in Igboland from the viewpoint of a white woman who is essentially there on her missionary husband’s visa. It’s easy to identify with Lydia and feel her insecurity as she settles into her role in a life which would be daunting for anyone, never mind when the land is in the turmoil of recently launched civil war. In some ways, it’s especially so for a young, recently married woman who has been brought up in quite narrow circumstances. Growing up in a strongly Methodist family the expectations put upon Lydia seem quite demanding, the ‘freedoms’ of the later 1960s almost bypassing her. Clem, her husband, isn’t a character I particularly warm to, but the portrayal of him is consistent in that he remains loyal to Lydia, in his own fashion. I find it entirely believable that Lydia falls in love with another. The tragic aspects are quite gut-wrenching; decisions made for Lydia rather than her needing to choose for herself. (I hate spoilers in reviews, so I am remaining vague over details in the book which may also have you reaching for a tissue, or a drink to ease a parched throat). It’s definitely a book I can recommend… and for those who love reading African history, a book to add to your shelves!

 

Get your own copy from Amazon, today, and read for yourself about Lydia and Clem.

Use this link HERE