This is a piece of historical fiction that takes us to Sudan, during the 1880s, the end of the Ottoman empire. There are several main characters, but the one whose arc unites them all is a spirited young woman who loves the river as if it is her own mother. Her journey from the lush highlands, through the desert, to the cities of Sudan (mainly Al-Ubeid and Khartoum) introduces us to a young merchant turned Islamic scholar, a lout turned soldier, a mother-in-law who keeps her penchant for trading a secret, a widowed Scottish painter who wishes only to return to his daughter, and historical figures such as British Generals and a Muhammad Ahmed ibn Abdullah, a self-styled messianic prophet and leader of the uprising against Egyptian rule. Throughout, the experiences and voices of women in war, women in a patriarchal society, are centered and uplifted.

Listening to the audiobook is highly recommended. The narrator captures various voices with precision and care. Although her Scottish accent is a bit off, it barely warrants mentioning in light of the many other accents she pulls off flawlessly. The writing is beautiful and eloquent, with no repetitive tics that sometimes mar narrative storytelling. The structure is thoughtful and surprising. The denouement is sad, joyful, and satisfying in just the right measures.