The Boy Next Door

Irene Sabatini makes her celebrated debut with this powerful novel set against the tumultuous backdrop of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Teenagers Lindiwe and Ian meet briefly after Ian is accused of a terrible crime. The friendship they begin endures many tests-and one devastating secret. '. a beautifully written first novel that explores the complexities of post-independent Zimbabwe-ever-shifting affinities of race, family, and other affiliations-through the love story of a mixed-race couple.'-Booklist