{"product_id":"the-second-coming-of-mavala-shikongo-9780316066334","title":"The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo","description":"\u003cb\u003eSet in Namibia just after independence in the early 1990s, Peter Orner's first novel is a chronicle of the long days, short loves, and cold nights at Goas, an all-boys Catholic primary school so deep in the veld that \"even the baboons feel sorry for us.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Though physically isolated in semi-desert beneath a relentless sun, the people of Goas create an alternate, more fertile universe through the stories they tell each other. The book's central character is Mavala Shikongo, a combat veteran who fought in Namibia's long war for independence against South Africa. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e She has recently returned to the school -- with a child, but no husband. Mavala is modern, restless, and driven, in sharp contrast to conservative Goas. All the male teachers (including a bumbling but observant volunteer from Cincinnati) try not to fall in love with her. Everyone fails -- immediately and miserably. This extraordinary first novel explores the history of a place through the stories of its people. But above all it's about the fleetingness of love and the endurance of fellowship.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Back Bay Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/16\/2007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780316066334\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 311\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.55lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.90d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAward:\u003c\/b\u003e Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize - Finalist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAward:\u003c\/b\u003e Bard Fiction Prize - Winner\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2007 pg. 20\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Peter Orner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36635976335516,"sku":"9780316066334","price":18.69,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_b7016e58-d0d1-44e2-8f6b-99f6ca70a98c.jpg?v=1603841055","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-second-coming-of-mavala-shikongo-9780316066334","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}