Uncertain light

the long version

The new novel from Commonwealth Writers Prize winner Marion Molteno. High in the mountains of war-torn Tajikistan, rebels abduct inspirational UN peace negotiator, Rahul Khan. The lives of his closest friends begin to unravel. Tessa, now married with two children, has never stopped loving Rahul. Lance, a dedicated aid worker, has used Rahul's friendship to avoid facing up to the gaps in his own life. Hugo, his UN supervisor, feels responsible for the abduction and is driven to uncover the truth. Tajik translator Nargis owes Rahul a personal debt but has secrets she cannot share. As hopes for Rahul's survival fade, each must find a way to begin again. Set in Central Asia following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uncertain Light vividly evokes a sense of place and an almost tangible atmosphere. With an authenticity and attention to detail that perfectly capture the nuanced compromises of relationships, Marion Molteno deftly weaves the strands of these interlocking worlds into a story of intimacy, hard choices, heartache and courage. 'Her writing has a poet's sensitivity and grace. Poignant and deeply empathetic.' The Scotsman.