Night Jasmine Man

by David Lambkin

Acclaimed composer Richard Turnbull, grieving at his wife's slow descent into schizophrenia, is notified at this crisis point in his life that his daughter Pia has been murdered in East Africa. He travels to Kenya to investigate her death. His quest leads him to a beautiful island off the coast where he quickly becomes enmeshed in a nightmare world of hard drugs, ivory poaching and sexual intrigue. As the story moves rapidly to its apocalyptic climax, Turnbull clashes violently with the island's ruler, the charming but ruthless Sultan. On the surface a hard-paced thriller, Night Jasmine Man echoes with layer upon layer of meaning, built as it is on a bedrock of ancient myths. Orpheus and Eurydice are here, as is Theseus, and the Cretan myth of a bull-god risen from the sea. It is also shot through with reverence for the natural primal beauty of Africa - sun, sea, wind, elephant, buffalo, birds and fish. At once mystical and highly erotic, tender and sensuous, this compelling novel poses questions about the origin of good and evil and celebrates a passionate belief in the redeeming power of love.

382 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book mingling a bit of fantasy into the reality. A trick Lambkin does really well. Quite a harsh beginning but it sets the ruthless tone perfectly.

[Goretti · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT an ABSOLUTE find!!! steve and i both GRIPPED from start to end...short chapters encourage reading just another one, and then just another one...A MUST!!!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most amazing books I have read, I was left with a sense of the mystical, magical,and kept going back in my thoughts to the book for months after finishing it!

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.
Because of my connection to Southern Africa, I have spent most of my life here, it resonated as Africa tends to do. The descriptions, the language, the people, the places he talks about are all familiar to me.
It was like stepping into a world I know so well.
His use of language, descriptions and ancient myths make this a compelling read.

[Csenge Tálas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true gem with an intriguing story, authentic ideas, sophisticated and sensitive writing that takes you on an exotic journey for a lasting experience.