Praise for River Spirit"[Aboulela] explores themes of faith and conquest without compromising on rich characterization or compelling plot development. She also also centralizes women and their experiences in a larger sociopolitical context that is most often viewed in terms of men's lives...Aboulela reveals the thin lines that can demarcate religious zeal and patriotic fervor, social crusade and personal recklessness, as she creates a finely wrought and compellingly in-depth drama about a land and its people." – Booklist, starred review"Action-packed.... Aboulela casts a scrutinous and perceptive eye on the motives of religious leaders and colonial forces, and she layers the narrative with a rich blend of languages and cultures. This brims with drama and nuance." – Publishers Weekly''A novel of extraordinary sympathy and insight...a wonderful achievement.'' - Abdulrazak Gurnah, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature "River Spirit had me gripped from the first page. This is real history, imagined in splendid detail, a story of ordinary people caught in extraordinary times. The characters' interwoven narratives create a book shaped into twists and turns all the way to its thrilling end. A triumph of storytelling." – Aminatta Forna, author of Happiness and The Window Seat"In rich, evocative detail, Aboulela captures one of the most important moments in Sudanese history. But ultimately, this is a story about people. Everyone–from Akuany to Yaseen to Musa to Fatima to Robert–reminded me of the hearts and minds affected by the winds of imperialism. You must read this." – Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of Wench and Take My Hand"In River Spirit, Aboulela's writing soars. It is urgent and it is critical. She joins writers like Maaza Mengiste, Namwali Serpell and Ayesha Haruna Atta in excavating history, breathing life into it, and presenting it in a new light. It is so far my best read this year." – Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, author of A Girl is a Body of Water"Leila Aboulela weaves together strands of Sudan's history in this fascinating and unforgettable tale. By far my favourite of all her works, Aboulela employs elegant, poetic prose to create yet another masterpiece. This is a story that demands to be read. It is an excellent novel." – Goretti Kyomuhendo, author of Waiting"Painted with the words of an artist who loves and understands their subject, this novel is a historical portrait of freedom. Aboulela skillfully draws the uncertain colours of what freedom means to different individuals in a Mahdist Sudan to the last full stop." – Zukiswa Wanner, author of The Madams