Extraordinary novel of lives lived in the run-up to and during the Nigerian Civil War. An intelligent, privileged young woman, a house-boy and an English expatriate all become part of the struggle for Biafra, a hopeful and idealistic movement for independence and its protracted and horrible demise in violence and starvation are seen through the experiences of Olanna, Ugwa and Richard as they struggle to live, love and survive thought loss and grief and privation. It's a harrowing tale, though full of life, romance, humour and rich complexity, all told in a tone that is unsentimental but throbbing with emotion, intelligence, irony, compassion and ultimately a kind of shattering poignancy.