Crossbones

Praise

"Politically courageous and often gripping… Crossbones provides a sophisticated introduction to present-day Somalia, and to the circle of poverty and violence that continues to blight the country." –The New York Times Book Review

"Mesmerizing… A searing look at individuals caught in the chaos of anarchy." –The Daily Beast

“A fiercely critical, ruefully funny, profoundly compassionate portrait… [that] humanizes the dire complexities inherent to a place fractured by perpetual violence, corruption, outside exploitation, bone-deep poverty, and fanaticism. A writer of charm, wit, conscience, and penetrating vision, Farah is a commanding and essential global writer.” –Booklist

"Often reads like a taut, tense thriller… a thought-provoking read as well as an absorbing look into a culture and a people in extreme circumstances." –The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Farah has become the voice of the Somalian diaspora, telling stories of political, religious, and family conflict without sentimentality… Like Conrad, Farah proves a master of his adopted language, enhancing his narratives with proverbs and instances of institutionalized irrationality.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Harrowing without resorting to sensationalism… It is dense, complex stuff, but [Farah’s] brave and imperfect characters are a pleasure to follow. [A] gripping but utterly humane thriller set in one of the least understood regions on earth." –Kirkus Reviews

“Combines an intimate dissection of power within the family with a strong dose of skepticism about the machinations of national and global power.” –The Economist

“Farah’s accomplishment is, through art, showing us both the value and the devaluing of life through the machinations of historical, political and social power.” –The Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“Adopts an almost thriller-like realism to give an account of modern-day Somalia… Crossbones is well worth the read.” –The Boston Globe

“Vivid and detailed… [Farah’s] understanding of human relationships is spot on, as are the twists and turns in this suspenseful drama.” –Ebony

"Farah writes enthrallingly about his native Somalia… Expect sharp insight into both human nature and secretarian strife, told in illuminating language free of cant." –Library Journal

"[Farah] writes beautifully and prolifically about his native Somalia." –TheMillions.com