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Literary Fiction· Tanzania

Desertion

by Abdulrazak Gurnah
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2005English
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Desertion (2005) by Abdulrazak Gurnah continues to receive. 'Desertion' is a poignant exploration of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of colonial East Africa. The novel intertwines the stories of two generations, focusing on a forbidden love affair between an Englishman and a local woman. Gurnah's narrative delves into the complexities of race, loyalty, and the enduring impact of colonialism on personal relationships. Themes of love, betrayal, colonialism run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAbdulrazak Gurnah
Published2005
Country of Origin🇹🇿 Tanzania
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781596911009
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇹🇿 Tanzania

This book is part of Tanzania's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

First published in 2005, Abdulrazak Gurnah's Desertion is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with love, betrayal, colonialism, race gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 0 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes Desertion is how it handles its central concerns — love, betrayal, colonialism, race — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Abdulrazak Gurnah's role in the literature of Tanzania is well established. Desertion can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from multiple independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
✍️
About the Author
Abdulrazak Gurnah
Tanzania
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Abdulrazak Gurnah is a Tanzania author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desertion about?

'Desertion' is a poignant exploration of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of colonial East Africa. The novel intertwines the stories of two generations, focusing on a forbidden love affair between an Englishman and a local woman. Gurnah's narrative delves into the complexities of race, loyalty, and the enduring impact of colonialism on personal relationships.

Who wrote Desertion?

Desertion was written by Abdulrazak Gurnah, from Tanzania. First published in 2005.

What awards has Desertion won?

Desertion has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Desertion worth reading?

Desertion is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in love, betrayal, colonialism.

Where can I buy Desertion?

You can buy Desertion on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Desertion?

Desertion is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Desertion from?

Desertion originates from Tanzania's literary tradition. Explore more books from Tanzania on our country page.

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