This was a beautifully powerful historical fiction which I devoured quickly. A gorgeous, important read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
#RiverSpirit #NetGalley

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance e-galley. I have been trying to read more historical fiction and especially historical fiction about places other than my country - the U.S.
River Spirit is a fascinating novel about the Mahdist War in 19th century Sudan. Something I really liked about it was that the main character is a woman. I did not know much about this war in Sudan and this book provides a multi- faceted look at it. It's really interesting and also a hard story to read.

.Grandiose Empires and A False Prophet

River Spirit is a unique work of historical fiction set in 1890's Sudan, at a turning point in the country's history, as its population began to rise up again the Ottoman Empire that ruled it, only the people were not united, due to the opposition leadership coming from a man who claimed to be the "Mahdi" - a religious figure that many Muslims believe will appear at the end of time to spread justice and peace.

The appearance of 'the Mahdi' or 'the false Mahdi' created a division in the population and provided a gateway for the British to further a desire to expand their own Empire, under the guise of ousting this false prophet. However for a brief period, this charismatic leader would unite many who had felt repressed by their circumstances, inspiring them to oust their foreign occupiers by whatever means necessary, even if it also set them against their own brothers and kinsmen.

Orphans, A Merchant, A Promise

It is against this background that Leila Aboulela tells the story of orphan siblings, Akuany and Bol, their young merchant friend Yaseen, a friend of their father; their parents were killed in a slave raid on the village, the merchant made a promise to protect these two youngsters, forever connecting their lives.

The story is told through multiple perspectives, mostly in the third person perspective, from Akuany (who becomes enslaved to both an Ottoman officer and a Scottish painter at various points and is renamed Zamzam) and Yaseen's point of view, as well as one of the fighters of the Mahdi, Musa.

The change in perspective and the lack of a first person narrative keeps the characters at a slight distance to the reader as we follow the trials of Zamzam's life and her dedication to being a part of Yaseen's life. However, it takes the reader on a journey through the shifting viewpoints of all parties implicated and affected by the approaching conflict, those of fervent belief, the skeptical, outsiders with ulterior motives, and the innocent, the women and children trying to live ordinary family lives amid the power struggles of patriarchal dominance and colonial selfishness.

Yaseen decides to become a scholar, a decision that changes his life and opportunities; he meets the Mahdi and is unconvinced, an opinion that will become dangerous and have repercussions for him and his family.

Two Rivers Entwine, the Nile

Once Akuany and her brother leave the family village, most of the story takes place in Khartoum, a city that is at the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White Nile, two major rivers that join to become the Nile proper, the longest river in the world, that continues on through Egypt to the Mediterranean.

The river is part of Akuany's story, part of her being and a symbol of her twin selves, one free, one enslaved, of twin occupying forces, the Ottoman and British Empires, of the many aspects in the story where twin forces clash, mix and become something new. It represents her devotion to her brother and to the merchant Yaseen, to a focus that drives her forward through the changing circumstances of her life. The two rivers arrive from different sources in a city that is full of many coming from elsewhere, where agendas often clash and local people get caught on the crossfire of inevitable conflict.

One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the story, was the focus of the story coming from characters within the population, that we witness things from within, through the eyes of both a simple, loyal servant girl and through a young educated man, but both of whom are from that land. They are living in turbulent times and are witness to the effect various powerful influences have on their city.

Cycles of Conflict, Khartoum Today

The novel was published on March 7th, a mere month or so before two Generals in 2023 again plunged Sudan into armed conflict with devastating consequences for civilians and civilian infrastructure, especially in Khartoum and Darfur. At least 676 people have been killed and 5,576 injured, since the fighting began. (14 May, UN source)

Over 936,000 people have been newly displaced by the conflict since 15 April, including about 736,200 people displaced internally since the conflict began, and about 200,000 people who have crossed into neighbouring countries, including at least 450,000 children who have been forced to flee their homes.

Aboulela's rendition of a people caught on both sides of a revolutionary uprising for freedom that uses religion to fight colonialism but ushers in leaders who adopt the same ways of tricking the people to their side.

It is a historical account that even though fiction draws upon a familiar reality. Aboulela uses her gentle style of depicting the changes in both atmosphere and characters, charting theor growth and the change from loss to gain and back again. Although I enjoyed this novel, there were perspectives that I could have done without. Even as they added different viewpoints, they are familiar to me coming from a formerly colonized nation and are most often heard over those of the people of the land.

I wanted more from Akuany and felt as though not enough was given over to her growth and development from girl into woman. More could have been done to balance the fight for independence, the machinations of the British and Egyptians, and Akuany's experiences.

Set in Sudan during the Mahdist wars of the 1880's, River Spirit follows the fates of seven interlinked characters and spans several years. Going into the book I really didn't know much about Sudan's complicated history of colonization and I'm glad I read it for that reason. I found it took me a long time to get into the story due to shifting to different character points of view. While I enjoyed the different perspectives to an extent, I wanted more from some characters (namely Akuany, Yaseen and Musa) and I never really felt anchored in the story. A good read with lots to admire but not a book I enjoyed as much as I would have hoped to.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!~

Characters - 8/10
This book covers multiple POV's: Akunay/Zamzam, Yaseen, Musa, Fatimah, and Robert. We do get a sprinkling of some other characters that we hear from one time (Charles, Salha, and Christina), but those are the main five. Akunay is an orphan, taken in by her late father's friend Yaseen. Yaseen is a young merchant, leaving Akunay in the care of his sister so he can finish out his schooling. She is later bought from his sister without his knowledge. Akunay holds a special place in my heart, I really love her character and just wanted the best for her. Fatimah is Yaseen's mother, Musa is a supporter of the false Madhi, and Robert is a Scottish engineer that lives in Khartoum.

Atmosphere - 8/10
The story takes place in 19th century Sudan, where a self proclaimed Madhi, THE Messiah, is getting ready to try and claim power. Through the characters we meet, we get to see all sides of this uprising, the happy and the sad, the greatness and the devastation. You'll hear of the struggles a colonized people face when they're run by religious and social unrest among their people. You'll also get to hear from the sides of colonizers, which adds an intense depth to this novel. You really will find yourself immersed in Sudan and it's people.

Writing - 8/10
I enjoy Aboulela's writing style a lot, it gives a warm feeling to a very intense topic of discussion. She's able to spin in a large amount of historical context, while still giving the readers characters to connect with. I will warn that the way this book is written could make it very confusing. We have multiple POV's, multiple voice changes (first, second, etc), and it's a lot to take in. If you enjoy historical writing, Aboulela will provide in multitudes. I would highly recommend reading this one over an audiobook. While the voice actors are very well chosen, it can get very confusing, very fast.

Pacing - 7/10
Because of the multiple characters we had to meet, this was definitely a slow start. I think the overall pacing works for the book, but it took me about 40-50% in to get locked in. I just think it's the nature of the topic of this story that requires this slow build into the plot.

Intrigue - 8/10
As stated with the pacing, initially I wasn't all that invested, but I didn't have issues setting it down and coming back to it. By the halfway mark I didn't put it down till I was finished! I am very excited to read more of Leila Aboulela's work!

Logic/World-Building - 8/10
A real world setting, with a historical background - can't really go wrong there with the logic. If you're willing to immerse yourself in this culture, you'll come out more knowledgable and understanding.

Enjoyment - 7/10
I'm really glad I requested this ARC. I already know I will be doing a re-read of this book in the next year or two to see what I may have missed initially. I love a good historical fiction book and I am a dual POV fan, so this really hit the mark for me. Can't wait to see what Aboulela writes next!

Overall, 7.71/10 or 4/5 stars!

This is an intricately woven historical fiction that took a bit of time to start but grabbed me until the end. I really enjoyed the exploration of political events and their consequences and how they affect class systems different. I loved that our protagonist drew strength from Islam, and the book was very moving.

Outstanding. And I say that as a long-term fan of this author, since setting out with her, with ‘TheTranslator’. This is undoubtedly her best work yet, a broad, multi-voiced tale of war, politics, nationhood and survival. But it’s also a splendid chorus of women’s voices and experiences, in peace and chaos, love and pain. There is nothing predictable here, no easy solutions. But lives are glimpsed in their fullness, famous ones and lesser ones, indeed the latter are given the greater weight. I was knocked out.

After enjoying Leila Aboulela’s Bird Summons, which tells the story of a group of Muslim women on a road trip pilgrimage to the grave of the first Scottish woman to convert to Islam, I was delighted to receive an advance reader copy of her latest book, River Spirit. Somewhat like Bird Summons, River Spirit is narrated from multiple points of view, each narrator becoming a vivid character. Despite my appreciation of Bird Summons, River Spirit is the deeper, more complex book. Aboulelah has outdone herself in River Spirit by tackling Sudan’s Mahdist Wars and bringing Sudanese history to life as history shapes and impacts the narrator’s lives.

The author captured my attention with the two epigraphs taken from the Hadith in which Mohammad speaks of the coming of the Mahdi, a savior to appear at a time of tyranny and oppression and to bring equity and justice to the Muslim world. In the Prologue, the Mahdi has arrived and unknowingly faces imminent attack. Rabiha undertakes a dangerous night journey to warn him and his followers, traveling alone to the Nuba Mountains without telling her husband where she has gone or even that she is leaving.

The chapters that follow reveal the lives and points of view of several female and male characters affected by late 1800s Sudanese history when the Mahdi and his supporters took on the foreign power governing Sudan—British colonial-controlled Egypt. At the center of the story are an orphan girl named Akuany and her younger brother Bol, taken in by Yaseen, a trader, who knew their deceased father. When Yaseen decides to give up trading to pursue an education, he leaves the children with his sister, who eventually separates them, selling Akuany into slavery. Among the narrators are Akuany, Yaseen, Yaseen’s mother Fatima, Yaseen’s wife Salha, Musa, and a Scottish widower named Robert. While Musa staunchly supports the Mahdi, Yaseen distrusts him, and readers quickly find themselves caught in the middle, wondering what to believe, especially after the dramatic prologue.

Although readers can decide for themselves, I chose not to do much background research, checking only on the Hadith and letting Aboulela work her literary magic. That decision maintained the novel’s suspense.
Readers should not overlook Aboulela’s Acknowledgements, particularly for her explanations of how her book topic evolved and how she discovered the character of Akuany, later called Zamzam.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Press for an advance reader copy of Aboulela’s outstanding new historic novel.

Shared on Goodreads and Barnes and Noble.

This intricately woven historical fiction novel is set towards the end of the 19th century in Sudan.
The story moves from a village in the south of Sudan to Khartoum and Omdurman and many places in between. It shows Sudan under Ottoman rule, its subjects growing more discontent as their conditions become more difficult. When a man proclaims himself as the Mahdi, everything changes from there, revolution is sparked.

As support for the false Mahdi grows, the powers shift in Sudan, and Britain, under the guise of helping the Ottomans, try to use it for their own advantage.

The perspective shifts between several characters, from a devoted supporter of the Mahdi to an Islamic scholar adamantly against him; from an enslaved woman to a free and highly respected woman; and then also colonisers looking to gain from the colonies.

What was so brilliantly done in this novel is the way it showed how dangerous political situations can have vastly different consequences depending on social status and circumstances.

The different perspectives made for such a rich reading experience. Rather than offering one view of this history we saw a wider context, both sides when it came to the false Mahdi as well as colonisers, and importantly several female characters in different situations. This gave so many levels to this historical period, I felt I was offered a deeper understanding.

The ending of the book was incredibly moving and it truly highlighted the sacrifices people had to make in situations such as this, especially women perhaps - and the way this character drew strength from Islam was beautifully written.

Note: I read an e-arc provided by @groveatlantic via @netgalley

♦️Akuany is a motherless girl who lives in a village on the bank of the White Nile in Sudan. A young merchant, Yaseen, from Khartoum, comes to buy gum from her father. One such time, when he is visiting them, her village is raided and her father is killed. Akuany and her brother Bol are luckily saved. Yaseen takes them along with him on his way back and promises to take care of them. It is also the time of the uprising of the self-proclaimed Mahdi, the prophesied redeemer of Islam. It starts to put the Ottoman rule of Sudan at stake, and a time comes when each person has to take a side. Yaseen, a scholar of Islam, refuses to take the Mahdi's side and faces the consequences. Though circumstances force Akuany to move throughout the country from one master to another, she can never forget Yaseen. This novel tells the history of Sudan, from the rise of the false Mahdi and the collapse of Ottoman rule to its British conquest in 1898.

💥The author has meticulously portrayed the condition of Sudan during the time. The power struggle between the Turks and the revolutionary leader has been perfectly expressed. The tension between Britain and Sudan is also aptly described.
💥It was very disheartening to learn about the slave trade, which was prevalent when humans were treated like commodities, exploited and tortured by their masters.
💥Even though the book has quite a few mentions of Islamic scriptures, the author's choice of words and lucid language made it easier for a non-Muslim like me to understand it perfectly. 
💥The story is told from the point of view of nine characters which include supporters of Ottoman rule, followers of the false Mahdi and British nationals. This helps the readers to get a clear perspective from different angles.
💥This book brings to light a story where, even though for a short period, the Sudanese had overthrown foreign rule and gained independence until its British annexation in 1898.
💥I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to others. I want to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book.

This novel is set in Sudan in the late nineteenth century in a time of great change. The country is caught between the Ottoman and British empires and the new possibilities provided by the Mahdi, who intends to reshape Islam and the country along with it. Everything is shifting--the rules for treating those above and below you, the relationships between husbands and wives, children and parents, neighbors--and the characters in this story are caught up in the turmoil. The novel follows multiple characters as they adjust to these changes and try to figure out what they value most. At the center is Akuany, a young girl who survives her village's destruction but does not find a replacement home (her brother is adopted and welcomed as a son, but she is seen as a burden and enslaved and left to navigate her own path through the turbulence).

The writing is beautiful and lyrical; Aboulela is especially skilled at showing us shifts in the characters' perspectives they don't notice themselves. Although the shifts between characters are a little disorientating at first, the novel's skill at immersing us in each character's viewpoint makes it possible to quickly become realigned. Even before the connections between characters become clear, the novel's urgency kept me reading eagerly.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Happy publication day for River Spirit, @leilaaboulela !

Thank you @netgalley and @groveatlantic for the e-ARC!

The story begins when Akuany (later- Zamzam) and her little brother Bol (later- Ishaq) are rescued by a merchant named Yaseen when their village was raid in southern Sudan. They grew up in the care of Yaseen who vows to keep them safe. When Yaseen decides to pursue his Qur’anic study to Al-Azhar and he leaves Akuany to her sister Halima. As the self-proclaimed Mahdi appears, Sudan begins to fall for his rule from the Ottoman. Revolutionary rises and Yaseen sticks to his belief that the Mahdi is false with all the jeopardy he puts on his family. In another line, Akuany was sold across the country as a slave. Seven characters and POVs are linked to each other, striving for freedom from imperialism, and keeping faith with their loved ones.

I always love Leila Abouleila’s works. Her deep research from reliable sources makes her historical fiction strong and I find it here again in River Spirit. Her storytelling ability is unquestionable, full of clarity, lyrical yet strong. What I wish is less confusing is the seven voices narrating the story. It slows my reading.

It helps me understand Sudan during the Mahdist war and pre-British colonialization, especially the lives of women during that time. It makes me realize how a claimant can cause so much disruption and a bloody war; in contrast to people who show strength and stick to their true beliefs. Abouleila has successfully drawn the consequences of war, especially to women (Salha and Akuany), and the layers of Islam as a religion in Sudan society.

#IndahMarwanReads #TheReadingMama #leilaaboulela #RiverSpirit #netgalley

This was a great book because it discussed when things were happening in It's South sedam in 1870s. Start out with a girl name AKUANY And her brother called BOI. They lived in a small town and this traitor used to come and visit them his name wa Y ASS EN. There was a lot of battles in this book as well. In And in her village There was a raid and her father was killed. This became the journey because she loved rivers and she always found comfort in rivers nearby. She was forced To leave with Y ASS EN. This began a journey of her life with her brother. The Britis We're fighting with the muslims especially this man called MAHDI. She was living in a Harem With my brother. She wanted to go with Y ASS EN. He told her no she had to stay. So she grew up and she always loved him. Then she was moved again without her brother. This time she was in the village with the river so she was very happy. She was sold as a slave and I And lost her innocence. She ran away from where she was and wanted to marry him but he said no he needed to be more educated. You then came back and said look I'll buy her for 50. At this point of time in her life she did not want anything to do with him. Then she got caught up with an Englishman because he loved to paint and he had a very interesting background as well. He bought her so she stayed with him for a while but this did not last. This book is very interesting how they tied the war with the muslims and how people were defeated and how things can go to the future in the past altogether it's quite interesting and the book the river spirit kind of carries that along

River Spirit is based on a true event, the Mahdi's War in Sudan, 1818. But, this book does not focus on that, instead, it focuses on the people who are affected by it, and how they react to this situation based on their background, their level of education, and their life experiences.

This book surprised me because of how real it felt. I almost thought that this book was not fiction. I loved how this book has multiple points of view because in that way, I—as a reader—could easily understand the reason some characters acted in a certain way. So far, for 2023, this is the best book that I've ever read. Highly recommended!

This is the sixth book by Aboulela that I've read. And I really enjoyed this one. (I've got to pick up her other two titles!)

I find her skill, confidence and overall tone to be very reassuring as a reader. She is a strong writer and story artisan. The plotting is intricate and smart. And the storycrafting has a sweeping and rich quality, weaving in culture, history and a well-rounded cast of characters.

This multiple-perspectives book features Sudan during the late 1800's. It primarily tells the story of Akuany, later renamed Zamzam, as she and her brother are saved by a traveling merchant. It tells the story of a people struggling against social unrest, borne by religious zealots, foreign imperialists (UK), and neighboring colonialists (Egypt and Turkey). Think Rashomon, in part. The author does a masterful job of depicting different "sides" with respect and nuance. This is compelling and reflects her care and skill.

The book is not particularly long but I savored it. I read leisurely to take in the story of these characters' lives. I really appreciate how Aboulela maintains a steady grip on her writing pen. The tone, again I mention this, is steady, centered and graceful. As a reader, this feeling, often unspoken or overlooked, greatly benefits the reading experience. I felt well cared for.

And I so appreciate how Aboulela writes about Muslims and Islam. I find this to be so satisfying.

In the Acknowledgements, she refers to a podcast where she's interviewed (released in January 2021). She hasn't written a word at one point and she talks about trying to find inspiration. She goes to Italy for a writer's retreat and she's changed her mind about how to approach this book. There are fascinating insights (I love getting a glimpse at the book's backstory eg the book initially centered on 3 men): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09...

Quotes:

The privilege of seeing all this was almost an ache, grace beginning to expand but the artist in him knew that awe would freeze him; it must be held back, kept under control.

This was how a free woman looked and spoke, after growing up safe in a father's house and moving to that of a trustworthy husband. All through life protected and held firm. A virgin on her wedding night, chaste afterward, luxuriant in her modesty, never been whipped, never been violated. Bowing down only in prayer, eyes only downcast over books and ink...

I thank Grove Atlantic for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There are books that take your breath away; this is one. How perfectly the story comes together! How well-rounded and sympathetic the characters, how gripping the events in it, how well-balanced the form. Leila Aboulela has written a beautiful story, set in Sudan in the interval between Ottoman and British rule in the late 19th century.

This is the story of Akuany, or Zamzam, who loses her father and is taken in by Yaseen, a merchant who is upright and honourable, and who remains committed to her welfare through the many complications in his own life. It is also the story of Salha, Yaseen’s wife, a strong, intelligent, and forthright woman, who always does what is right, and best. But mainly, through these women’s lives, it is the story of Sudan and its people, and of the powers that would control it, from within and without.

Aboulela writes truly gorgeous scenes that remain in the memory quite as if one was actually there. She writes for Sudan as one who loves it, so that you come to love it too. It is wonderfully refreshing to read a historical novel about an African country from a non-Western gaze—in other words, away from the perspective of the would-be conqueror. Most importantly, this novel is about two very different women, complex, complete and unapologetic, with agency within the constraints of their time and culture.

I don’t think it would be wrong to call this the great Sudanese novel. In River Spirit, Aboulela has written a novel with great heft and profound emotional depth, one that is sure to eclipse many others. It is incredibly beautiful, and deeply moving.

Thank you very much to Grove Atlantic and to NetGalley for access to this ARC.

River Spirit – Leila Aboulela

Thanks to @groveatlantic and @netgalley for my #arc of this book, published 7th March.

After a recent disappointment with historical fiction, I’m much happier to be able to recommend one more convincingly. “River Spirit” is set in late 19th century Sudan, at that point under Ottoman rule.

Two orphans, Akuany and Bol, are taken in by a merchant, Yaseen, after their village is raided, one who promises to take care of them both. This vow ties them together as their paths start to diverge -Akuany is sold and traded throughout her youth and young adulthood, eventually ending up in the service of a British officer with a penchant for painting. Yaseen goes looking for her, but has to deal with the rise of the Mahdi, the “redeemer of Islam”, who is bringing revolution to Sudan.

All of this is quite confusing at first, especially at the beginning as the narrative moves between characters regularly, but eventually a rich tapestry unfurls of a society undergoing massive change, caught between two imperial powers yet fighting for their own sense of identity. It’s a book of tension, religions colliding, the colonised rising against their rulers, all told from a very human angle with beautiful prose. Honestly, I struggle to articulate my thoughts on this, save that it’s very good.

Unlike “Beasts of a Little Land”, this doesn’t wear its research on its sleeve, instead weaving it masterfully through the stories of ordinary people caught in the storm of history. Excellent historical fiction, one to watch out for when it comes out – think this might get some prize recognition as well. The first book I’ve read from Leila Aboulela, and it won’t be the last.

Sudan – present or past – is not prominently featured in English-language literature, with Tayeb Salih holding the most well-known spot, but Leila Aboulela continues to change this with her latest historical fiction, River Spirit, set in late-1800s Sudan, starting in the south (now South Sudan) and moving to Khartoum, with a brief stop in Cairo. it focuses on the Mahdist movement of 1881-1898, a revolt against Ottoman-Egyptian rule in Sudan led by a self-proclaimed Mahdi. I had never heard of this and am pleased Leila Aboulela ultimately chose to focus on it. Having read this after We Have Buried the Past, set in Fez during the Moroccan war of independence, I particularly appreciated being able to continue the learning journey about different struggles for independence and the complexities of these movements. Something particularly striking in River Spirit was the challenge faced by Muslims having to choose between two groups both led and followed by Muslims, a fake Mahdi and an Ottoman ruler, in addition to an encroaching British presence.

In keeping with her previous works, Leila Aboulela portrays many different perspectives with a gentle empathy while being clear about what is right and wrong. In this case, she shows the perspectives of Muslim and non-Muslim Sudanese, men and women, locals and foreigners, society’s wealthiest and poorest. None are demonised based on their social group, but are taken as individual people, some of whom make more mistakes than others. Slavery features prominently throughout the book with one of the main characters being enslaved and freed several times during the story. As well as showing different attitudes toward slavery at the time, the story really emphasised for me how easily the character would find herself enslaved, especially in times of war and chaos. Leila Aboulela also puts a lot of emphasis on women’s experiences and, through showing us the ways they interact with the unfolding events and their diverse circumstances, empowers them in their own stories. Often, especially in modern Western literature, an “empowered” woman is a woman who is the exception to the general circumstances of women; in particular, she is often given traditionally male characteristics or roles (a stereotypical example is Wonder Woman) to prove her superiority. The beauty of Leila Aboulela’s female characters is that she gives them agency in natural ways in keeping with their social context and this is never done in an apologetic manner. Similarly, she is unapologetic about local Islamic practices, such as polygamy. In this very natural way, Leila Aboulela asserts the value of Islam and a society oriented around Islamic values, as well as that of Sudanese or indeed an African society, without ever preaching or explicitly justifying herself. I believe this is her appeal for many readers, tired perhaps of the reactionary undertone found in some modern Western writing.

I am curious about why Leila Aboulela decided to end the book with chapters from the perspectives of characters who were side characters for most of the book, as I was keen to hear from Akuany/Zamzam at the end. Having said that, I felt that the final chapters allowed us to continue learning more about the characters, right to the end, while still offering closure. Overall, even though the story portrays a lot of difficult circumstances and unpleasant experiences, there is always a sense of optimism. Leila Aboulela has once again produced a thought-provoking, beautiful story filled with the characteristic reflective grace that encompasses all of her writing.

Leila Aboulela’s latest novel, River Spirit, opens with a prosaic and wistful scene of villagers by the Nile river.

Some are bathing, others washing clothes or leisurely soaking in the coolness of the Nile.

Among them is 11-year-old Akuany, who was innocently contemplating the munificence of nature and her love for the river seconds before her village and life went up in flames. So the story commences, encompassing the solemn peculiarities of a river; fluid, volatile, and cathartic.

With spellbinding prose, it is set in the late 1800s when Sudan remained under tenuous Ottoman rule. The novel oscillates between voices of ostensibly disparate characters, using the Mahdist Revolution of Sudan as a backdrop to explore a salient period in Sudanese history.

"As we learn about the history of Sudan’s struggle for freedom, we understand that what inspires people is far more convoluted than a conflict of good versus evil"
The Mahdist Revolution was an Islamic revolt against the Egyptian government in Sudan that manipulated the Islamic prophecy of a golden age under The Mahdi or Guided one.

While the revolution was misguided, bloody, and ultimately blasphemous, Aboulela adroitly demonstrates the complexities of human motive during desperate circumstances.

Under the oppressive shadow of multiple colonial powers and their own iron-fisted leaders, the people of Sudan struggled to define their freedom, identity, and faiths.

The many soliloquies and perspectives become tragically and inextricably linked as the novel progresses. There is Yaseen, the humble Islamic jurist, his mother Fatima; Robert, a widowed Scottish artist and engineer; Musa, a loyal and fiery supporter of the false Mahdi and; the inquisitive Akuany.


Of these voices, it is Akuany and Yaseen who are the central characters that incandescently unite these distinct narratives.

Their lives become intertwined when Akuany ’s village is raided, and she is orphaned. Yaseen vows to protect her and her toddler brother, taking them to his village near Khartoum. But he soon gives up his inheritance as a merchant to travel to Cairo and study at Al-Azhar university to become an Islamic jurist.

When he returns, the self-proclaimed and charismatic Mahdi is swiftly gaining followers. But Yaseen, who is learned and passionate about his religion, stands against this insidious movement, remaining steadfast towards righteousness and God.

Akuany is sold in and out of slavery as she grows into a young woman, never wavering in her love for Yaseen. Reunited and ripped asunder repeatedly, they unremittingly experience the bestiality of colonialism, war, and slavery.


When the zeal for power and control, and the fervent yearning for sovereignty and autonomy clash, the result is devastating. Aboulela exemplifies this by weaving several facets of Sudanese reality from the implications of colonialism, the hypocrisy of foreign interference, dehumanizing oriental tropes, and a nuanced representation of Islamic values and the silent victims of war, woman.

Akuany’s story is interspersed with several women who endure the most dreadful impacts of the revolution. From domestic violence, rape, servitude, and splintered families, the women are thrust into resilience. Even those privileged with status and education are not spared.

As violence upon violence is brought down upon them, the material concerns of the world are blurred. When an enslaved Akuany is beaten by her master, she befriends Touma, who tenderly heals her wounds.

Touma is known for running a harem and, thus, shunned from society. After Akuany is released, she is reproached by others for treating her amicably. Akuany ponders the rigidity of the right and wrong that society often pronounces. Touma, who nurses battered women during war and bloodshed, is declared an unsuitable companion. So through Akuany’s lens, it is evident that morality is not as linear as some would like to believe.

The Mahdist revolution was a resistance towards Egyptian, Ottoman, and British imperial rule, and it became incendiary as people saw hope for liberation in this fallacious movement.

During this time, European nations tried to stake out pieces of Africa to colonize in what is known as the “scramble for Africa.” The real-life character of General Gordon and a fictitious Scottish engineer, Robert, reveal the subterfuge of British troops.

Arriving in Sudan as an aid to save them from the pillaging, all the while seeking to gain the upper hand over other countries to acquire territories with valuable resources, and to possess economically strategic rivers. Regrettably, Sudan and the Middle East continue to lament the implications of British and European duplicity.


This dehumanisation of the colonized also occurs subtly. Robert, an artist, visits the slave market to paint and buy humans. Unwillingly, they become his muse, and he believes he is the magnanimous master because of his craft.

This colonial entitlement transcends into modern times with those such as Sharbat Gula, the Afghan girl photographed and made a symbol of hope for refugees by photographer Steve McCurry.

He was lauded for his art, but with the price of exploiting an already vulnerable girl. Years later, she voiced her shame and anger, but she had already become entrenched in Western culture. Similarly, Robert hopes to take his paintings of Sudan back to Scotland to acquire fame, never once pausing to reflect on the humanity, misfortunes, and brilliance of the people and land he viewed only as subjects.

These are the characters that comprise this profound story that exposes the multifaceted nature of humankind. It is a reminder that despite war and plunder, family, honesty, and faith continue to radiate.

As we learn about the history of Sudan’s struggle for freedom, we understand that what inspires people is far more convoluted than a conflict of good versus evil. Many popular narratives discuss Islam only when it is manipulated to bolster avaricious and violent leaders, such as the false Mahdi.

However, in River Spirit, Islam is also threaded into the fabric of society, animating the people towards justice and harmony. Aboulela has gifted us with a powerful book, exhibiting mastery of the written word and wisdom of the human psyche.

River Spirit and Yaseen’s rumination on the state of his country leaves us with much to contemplate, capturing the spirit of this tale; “Fighting an enemy is always easier than governing human complexity.”