9781851689651 (pbk.)

1851689656 (pbk.)

In this compelling debut, Ben Rawlence sets out to gather the news that never travels far---the news of the uneasy peace being made in the towns of Congo's silent quarter. Rather than taking the direct flight suggested by aid workers and mercenaries, he travels by foot, motorbike, and boat, taking his time to meet the people who are making a new life in one of the world's most dangerous places. He introduces us to Colonel Ibrahim, a guerrilla turned army officer: the Lebanese cousins Mohammed & Mohammed, young tin traders shipped to Africa by their family; the talk-show host Mama Christine, who dispenses counsel and courage in equal measure; and the priest Jean-Baptiste, who explains the price of beer and normality.

Along the way, Rawlence reveals the real story of Congo, during and after the war, and the seeds of a peaceful future.

The lost city

'What you wanna go there for?'

Under the volcano

Meeting the colonel

Guerrillas in the mist

Blood cheese

'The waves on the lake are not negligible, my dear'

Outsiders

A fishless lake

The return, part I

Trouble in the Mulenge hills

The end is nigh

In search of goats and gold

A cruise on Tanganyika

The intelligence director's bath

The forest people

'Inhuman'

The guns of Moba

My name is Zongwe

The return, part II

The lake of snails

Eating the neighbours

Of pigs, rabbits, and popes

La route principale

Beer and normality

The bend in the river

The price of tin

Electric dreams

The news from Manono.

Rawlence, Ben > Travel > Congo (Democratic Republic)

Congo (Democratic Republic) > History > 1997-

Congo (Democratic Republic) > Social conditions > 21st century.