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

[Mwangi is] among the leading Kenyan writers. * New York Times *
Riveting * Guardian *
The finest African novel ever. -- Professor Ibrahim Bello Kano

Meja Mwangi is a prolific and award-winning author born in 1948 in Nanyuki, Kenya.

Educated at Kenyatta College, he worked for both the French Broadcasting Corporation and the British Council in Nairobi before leaving to become a full-time writer. He was appointed a Fellow in Writing at Iowa University in 1975.

An influential figure in Eastern African literature, Mwangi's debut novel, Kill Me Quick, was published in 1973 and won the 1974 Jomo Kenyatta Prize. His other notable works include The Cockroach Dance (1979) and The Mzungu Boy (1995).

Meja currently lives in Columbus, Ohio. You can find out more by visiting mejamwangi.com.