M.G. Vassanji’s new novel The Magic of Saida is the story of a successful Canadian doctor Kamal Punja who returns to his homeland of East Africa to find his childhood sweetheart, Saida. Kamal’s history is shrouded in mystery, compounded by his mixed heritage. His absent father was Indian and his mother was Swahili. He met Saida as a boy in the ancient coastal town of Kilwa, where his childhood was idyllic – poor in material things, but rich in poetry and love. Then as a gifted student, he was sent to live with his father’s family in the city, then on to university and eventually Canada. Years later, with Saida haunting his dreams, he sets out on a quest mixed with guilt, nostalgia, hope and questions.
Come join CBC Radio One host Sheryl MacKay for a fascinating evening with M.G. Vassanji in the Studio One Book Club, on Tuesday, October 2, at 6:30 pm! Active audience participation is a key component of every CBC Radio Studio One Book Club, and your questions and observations are encouraged!
Tickets are free, but you need to win to get in. Find out how http://www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub/
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