The Illegal

 By Lawrence Hill

Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Sarah from the Winkler Branch

    The Illegal is written by Canadian and award winning author of The Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hill. Set in Africa, The Illegal tells the story of an oppressive dictatorship called Zantoroland.  Main character Zeita Ali is a gifted marathon runner who is trying to escape the trappings of poverty.  He becomes a fugitive, hunted by the government of his native country.  The government already murdered his father, a journalist, for investigating the deep corruption in the country, and his mother passed away when he was a child.  All Zeita has left is a sister who is studying at a university overseas on a scholarship when she goes missing.

   Author Lawrence Hill proves to be a master storyteller, weaving a complex tale of political and personal intrigue with many diverse and interesting characters who have their own struggles and challenges.  This book involves intense tragedy, humour, espionage, immigration, prostitution, kidnapping, systemic racism and even an unlikely burgeoning romance, all in a race against time.  This is a fast paced, exciting novel that had me turning the pages far into the night.  I definitely recommend it.

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