A Line in the River: Khartoum, City of Memory

In this intensely personal account, Mahjoub blends memoir with historical narrative to capture the complexities and nuances of his homeland, specifically the Sudanese city of Khartoum. Primarily a novelist by trade, Mahjoub is comfortable weaving the intricate layers of history, politics, religion, and culture into a single lyrical tale. The style of this book, which bounces back and forth among historical memory, political intrigue, and personal reflection, is at first confusing but quickly becomes more intimate. This intimacy is a theme that runs throughout the narrative lines. Mahjoub doesn't just explore or critique his homeland; he strips Sudan bare and considers the impact that the story of Khartoum and Sudan has had on its culture, people, and himself. He also isn't afraid to showcase the failures and foibles of the country's history against the beauty and successes, which makes for a very enlightening text.