Michela Wrong

Paperback: 30 June 2016
ISBN-13: 978-0008123017

Synopsis

British lawyer Paula Shackleton is mourning a lost love when a small man in a lemon-coloured suit accosts her over breakfast in a Boston hotel. When he’s not advising US companies on their shady foreign investments, Winston Peabody represents the African country of North Darrar, embroiled in a border arbitration case with its giant neighbour. Winston needs help with the hearings in The Hague, Paula needs to forget the past.

She flies to the highland capital determined to lose herself in work, but soon discovers that even jobs taken with the purest of intentions – making money – can involve squirm-inducing moral compromise. Taking testimony in scorching refugee camps, delving into North Darrar’s colonial past — all while fending off approaches from the CIA man in town — she becomes increasingly uneasy about her role as government attack dog. Budding friendships with Dawit, a scarred former rebel, and George, an idealistic young doctor, whittle away at her pose of sardonic indifference until, to her own surprise, Paula finds herself taking a step no decent lawyer should ever contemplate.

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Translations

It’s Our Turn To Eat

Paperback: 7 Jan 2010
ISBN: 0007241976

Synopsis

In January 2003, Kenya – seen as the most stable country in Africa – was hailed as a model of democracy after the peaceful election of its new president, Mwai Kibaki. By appointing respected longtime reformer John Githongo as anticorruption czar, the new government signalled its determination to end the corrupt practices that had tainted the previous regime.

Yet only two years later, Githongo himself was on the run, having discovered that the new administration was ruthlessly pillaging public funds. Under former President Moi, his Kalenjin tribesmen ate. Now it’s our turn to eat,” politicians and civil servants close to the president told Githongo. As a member of the government and the president’s own Kikuyu tribe, Githongo was expected to cooperate. But he refused to be bound by ethnic loyalty. Githongo had secretly compiled evidence of official malfeasance and, at great personal risk, made the painful choice to go public. The result was Kenya’s version of Watergate.

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I Didn’t Do It For You

Paperback: 7 Jan 2010
ISBN: 0007241976

Synopsis

In January 2003, Kenya – seen as the most stable country in Africa – was hailed as a model of democracy after the peaceful election of its new president, Mwai Kibaki. By appointing respected longtime reformer John Githongo as anticorruption czar, the new government signalled its determination to end the corrupt practices that had tainted the previous regime.

Yet only two years later, Githongo himself was on the run, having discovered that the new administration was ruthlessly pillaging public funds. Under former President Moi, his Kalenjin tribesmen ate. Now it’s our turn to eat,” politicians and civil servants close to the president told Githongo. As a member of the government and the president’s own Kikuyu tribe, Githongo was expected to cooperate. But he refused to be bound by ethnic loyalty. Githongo had secretly compiled evidence of official malfeasance and, at great personal risk, made the painful choice to go public. The result was Kenya’s version of Watergate.

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In The Footsteps Of Mr Kurtz

Paperback: 7 Jan 2010
ISBN: 0007241976

Synopsis

In January 2003, Kenya – seen as the most stable country in Africa – was hailed as a model of democracy after the peaceful election of its new president, Mwai Kibaki. By appointing respected longtime reformer John Githongo as anticorruption czar, the new government signalled its determination to end the corrupt practices that had tainted the previous regime.

Yet only two years later, Githongo himself was on the run, having discovered that the new administration was ruthlessly pillaging public funds. Under former President Moi, his Kalenjin tribesmen ate. Now it’s our turn to eat,” politicians and civil servants close to the president told Githongo. As a member of the government and the president’s own Kikuyu tribe, Githongo was expected to cooperate. But he refused to be bound by ethnic loyalty. Githongo had secretly compiled evidence of official malfeasance and, at great personal risk, made the painful choice to go public. The result was Kenya’s version of Watergate.

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