ABOUT THE BOOK
Important issues of violence, terrorism, homosexuality and migration feature in A Long Way From Douala, the first publication in English of a work by Max Lobe, an important new voice in African writing.
On the trail of Roger, a brother who has gone north in search of football fame in Europe, Jean, the narrator, takes with him the older Simon, a neighborhood friend. The bus trip north nearly ends in disaster when, at a pit stop, Simon goes wandering in search of grilled caterpillars. At the police station in Yaoundé, the local cop tells them that a feckless boza who wants to go to Europe is not worth police effort and their mother should go and pleasure the police chief if she wants help! Through a series of joyful sparky vignettes, Cameroon life is revealed in all its ups and downs. Questions of life and death are raised but the tone remains light and edgy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MAX LOBE was born in Douala, Cameroon. At eighteen he moved to Switzerland, where he earned a BA in Communication and Journalism and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. In 2017, his novel Confidences won the Ahmadou Kourouma Prize. Other books by the author include 39 rue de Berne, A Long Way From Douala (published by HopeRoad in 2021) and Does Snow Turn A Person White Inside? (published by HopeRoad in 2022). Max Lobe lives in Geneva.
Author photo © Guillaume Megevand.
REVIEWS
‘The sights, sounds and smells of modern Cameroon, this is in fact a classic road trip, a Homeric quest. A jostling, poignant tale, it left me hungry for more’ Michela Wrong, author Borderlines and It's Our Turn to Eat.
'The stretching Cameroonian roads take on a character of their own. Max Lobe’s style is direct sensual, and wholly unique’
AFRIQUE MAGAZINE
‘One of the remarkable things about this migrant tale is its optimism and humour. Make no mistake it’s a poignant tale, empathetic, at times brutally raw but Max Lobe is a hopeful writer. A Long Way from Douala is stylish and colourful tale, rich and insightful.' Paul Burke, NewBooks Magazine
‘To a makossa beat, bars in dodgy neighbourhoods, local public transport and street slang, Max Lobe immerses us in the Cameroon of today... All this churns up the daily life of the novel’s characters whose lives are narrated with humour and satire.’ AMNESTY
'His eye is as compassionate as his characterisations are rich. I only wish this novel had been twice the length. You are in for a treat’ Patrick Gale, author Rough Music and Friendly Fire