The Fugitives - by Jamal Mahjoub (Paperback)

About the Book

Moving from Khartoum, Sudan, to Washington, D.C., and then across the US in a road trip unlike any other, this is a book about music, friendship and the desire for home

Book Synopsis

The Kamanga Kings, a Khartoum jazz band of yesteryear, is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime when a surprise letter arrives inviting them to perform in Washington, D.C. The only problem is . . . the band no longer exists.

Rushdy, a disaffected secondary school teacher and the son of an original Kamanga King, sets out to revive the band. All too soon an unlikely group are on their way, knowing the eyes of their country are on them. As they move from the familiarity of Khartoum to the chaos of Donald Trump's America, Jamal Mahjoub weaves a gently humorous and ultimately universal tale of music, belonging and love.

Review Quotes

A novel of regeneration through music and the secret hunger of quiet lives. It is an immersive, humorous and powerful novel from a truly great writer who deserves a very wide audience - CHIGOZIE OBIOMA

A terrific work of fiction . . . Mahjoub moves his characters around one another and the events they've brought upon themselves with the command and finesse of a master storyteller who knows he has his audience enthralled . . . A truly humane story of love, hope, and faith. An exhilarating, profoundly moving, musical romp. I loved it - MIRZA WAHEED

A most absorbing and rewarding book - MICHAEL PALIN

A rip-roaring adventure from Khartoum to Harlem and an ode to jazz, creativity and freedom of expression . . . a heartfelt and touching book - Bad Form

Heartwarming - Africa Report, Must-Read Literary Books of 2021

Praise for A Line in the River: A wonderfully subtle exploration of place, identity and memory - Guardian

An affecting and heartfelt reminder for those of us who have passed time in Khartoum . . . I have been waiting more than fifty years for this book - JIM CRACE

Engaging tale of an old Khartoum jazz band who reform to play a gig in America . . . Mahjoub weaves in interesting political and ethnic themes, amid some lovely writing about friendship and music-- "Observer"

Praise for Jamal Mahjoub: Mahjoub writes with sensitivity and intelligence, and with a deft feel for the complexity of his material-- "Wasafiri"

Praise for A Line in the River: A wonderfully subtle exploration of place, identity and memory-- "Guardian"

A most absorbing and rewarding book--MICHAEL PALIN

A rip-roaring adventure from Khartoum to Harlem and an ode to jazz, creativity and freedom of expression . . . a heartfelt and touching book-- "Bad Form"

A terrific work of fiction . . . Mahjoub moves his characters around one another and the events they've brought upon themselves with the command and finesse of a master storyteller who knows he has his audience enthralled . . . A truly humane story of love, hope, and faith. An exhilarating, profoundly moving, musical romp. I loved it--MIRZA WAHEED

An affecting and heartfelt reminder for those of us who have passed time in Khartoum . . . I have been waiting more than fifty years for this book--JIM CRACE

Humorous-- "Cosmopolitan"

About the Author

Jamal Mahjoub is a British-Sudanese writer. Born in London, he was raised in Khartoum where his family remained until 1990. He has lived in a number of places, including the UK, Denmark, Spain and, currently, the Netherlands. His novels include Travelling with Djinns and The Drift Latitudes. Under the pseudonym Parker Bilal he is the author of the Inspector Makana crime series and, most recently, the Crane and Drake series. His latest non-fiction book, A Line in the River, was longlisted for the Ondaatje Prize.

jamalmahjoub.com