Review of River Spirit by Leila Aboulela

Saqi Books/Grove Press(2023)

Leila Aboulela's River Spirit opens with a gripping chapter following a woman who runs through the night to warn the self-proclaimed Mahdi of imminent attack. Having ignored a snake bite, she dies soon after delivering her message but nevertheless secures victory for the Mahdi's forces. Although he is a powerful force for change, it is not from the Mahdi’s perspective that the novel is written.

Set in Sudan in the late 19th Century, the narration rotates between the kind merchant turned scholar Yaseen, and Akuany whom he rescues when her village is pillaged by slave traders. Left in the care of Yaseen’s sister in Al-Ubayyid, Akuany is casually sold to the governor’s wife who is used to getting what she wants. When he returns, Yaseen is furious but still has to raise the money to release Akuany, who begs to return with him to Khartoum as his wife.

Meanwhile Yaseen has been sent to establish the veracity of the increasingly powerful Mahdi’s claim to be the saviour of the Sudanese people from Ottoman rule and the descendant of the prophet Muhammed. Yaseen’s theological doubts are overwhelmed by the people’s belief in the messianic power of the Mahdi, whose military successes gain him followers and strengthen his hand.

Aboulela carefully balances Yaseen’s insight and intelligence with the fervour of the people who long to determine their own destiny. The obligations of family push Yaseen to marry and father a son, before he returns to Al-Ubayyid to rescue Akuany, only to be captured by the Mahdi and imprisoned for his infidel views.

Since Leila won the first Caine Prize in 2000 her writing has strengthened and deepened. This history of Sudan could be compared to Maaze Mengiste's The Shadow King, but is more coherent and centres on a love story between two unlikely characters who find each other despite circumstances regularly pulling them apart.

Most touchingly, Aboulela’s portrayal of Salha, Yaseen’s educated wife, is delicate and practical, as she compromises her love of Yaseen with the need to survive and protect their son, eventually giving way to Akuany and blessing her journey back to the south of Sudan as Yaseen’s second wife, before the British claim Sudan for themselves.