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In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt - 4 stars - My GR Review

Historical fiction about three women coming to terms with grief and seeking personal peace in Rwanda. Each of the three primary characters has experienced loss. All are connected to Henry Shepherd, a photojournalist, who has abandoned two families. The storyline revolves around the unraveling the mystery of Henry’s disappearance, while gaining an understanding of how the people of Rwanda are coping with the aftermath of the 1994 genocide.

This is an American look at an African tragedy. It is about a search for family and the healing of wounds, some of which are so deep they may never be mended or forgiven. This book involves multiple narrators and jumps back and forth to different timelines from before, during, and years after the genocide. Haupt includes enough information about Rwanda’s history without overgeneralizing. This is an ambitious novel, covering a variety of complex interpersonal relationships and tackling heavy subjects such as race, grief, compassion, loneliness, belonging, and vulnerability.

Haupt’s writing is beautifully detailed and descriptive, providing a sense of place and community. The characters are well-developed and believable, and the conclusion is satisfying. There are a few plot holes and inconsistencies, and the inclusion of a romance seems unnecessary, but this is a promising debut.