Tayeb Salih is among the most relevant Arabic language writers of the 20th century, and this book is a classic that is required reading in schools and universities in many countries. The superb translation is poetic and evokes the spirit of it's time, the early 50's, post-WWII England and the dichotomy experienced by African intellectuals of that time, torn between the motherland village and their ideals of independence, while remaining anchored in the western ideology. It is a complex work which contains several layers of reading. Highly recommended for those interested in international literature or who seek a glimpse into Sudanese society, it's inherent piety and simplicity, and the struggle to come to terms with a new identity.