The Book Band

Publisher: Seraphim Editions
Genre: fiction
Format: trade paperback; 250 pages
Price: $19.95

The setting is Cairo. The time is the early 21st century. The numbers are in the thousands.
Genevieve, a young Canadian working with an NGO gathering personal stories from members of the refugee communities, discovers uncertainties too dangerous to share - especially with her African lover.

Review: "Writing clear, piercing prose, [Wyrzykowski] encapsulates complex histories ... Her characters, all asylum-seekers in one way or another, are lost in narrow streets of memory and pain." - Leila Marshy, carte blanche

Review: "There are some things that the Lonely Planet Guide to Egypt does not prepare the traveller for, such as Cairo's underbelly of refugees and illegal immigrants. A disturbing aspect of [The Year of Numbers] is the role of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. There are also exciting glimpses into the rich culture of the region, from the commonplace to the exotic. Despite the complex histories in the book, it is a page turner ..." - Sophie Alal, The East African