After an exhausting day of hard labour, Ben finds oblivion in the seedy bars and clubs of River Road – anything to leave his cockroach-infested rooms and ignore the reality of living paycheck to paycheck. At times, it''s difficult to remember that it wasn''t always this way. Somehow, he went from a promising career as a soldier to a disgraceful dismissal and a steady decline into poverty. Now the only thing Ben has left to lose is hope. Writing with colourful realism, Meja Mwangi paints an unforgettable depiction of life in Nairobi''s slums – drawing attention to the hardships of the working poor and their disillusion with uncaring politicians. ''[Mwangi is] among the leading Kenyan writers.'' New York Times ''Riveting.'' Guardian ''The finest African novel ever.'' Professor Ibrahim Bello Kano After an exhausting day of hard labour, Ben finds oblivion in the seedy bars and clubs of River Road – anything to leave his cockroach-infested rooms and ignore the reality of living paycheck to paycheck. At times, it''s difficult to remember that it wasn''t always this way. Somehow, he went from a promising career as a soldier to a disgraceful dismissal and a steady decline into poverty. Now the only thing Ben has left to lose is hope. Writing with colourful realism, Meja Mwangi paints an unforgettable depiction of life in Nairobi''s slums – drawing attention to the hardships of the working poor and their disillusion with uncaring politicians. ''[Mwangi is] among the leading Kenyan writers.'' New York Times ''Riveting.'' Guardian ''The finest African novel ever.'' Professor Ibrahim Bello Kano
