A compelling, entertaining novel. A compassionate account of drought-stricken suffering and privation in an imaginary, least-developed African country. The description of relief and recovery activities offers readers a vivid insight of the many and varied challenges of mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and combating such crises as severe droughta description that may also assist prospective disaster managers. Peoples pleasures and their unexpected perils during that countrys emergency further illustrate life at the sharp end and blunter end. But remain aware, readers, that the narratora university tutorleads a double life.