Please Do Not Disturb Hardback - 2016

"I hated this musty old museum room. Like many others, it was modelled on some room in Buckingham Palace: gloomy, dark, oppressive. And many of these paintings were counterfeits of those that hung in the Queen's own residence, this replica room full of fake Masters. Even the palace airconditioning was kept low, a brittle chill pervading the rooms. So utterly British was the atmosphere that at times I was surprised to see Africa outside. As if the windows were paintings and the paintings were windows. The dark bulletproof glass enhanced the illusion that the windows framed exotic African art, while the paintings captured real views of the glum English countryside." Please Do Not Disturb is the second novel by Zambia-born, Malawi-raised New Zealand author, Robert Glancy. The annual Big Day is approaching for the tin-pot African nation of Bwalo. It's the day that their (formerly-benevolent) dictator, His Excellency the Life King N Tafumo makes an appearance to address the people. This year, as well as the usual attendees (attendance is compulsory), there will be celebrities, including black American pop star, Truth and his enormous entourage. Sharing their observations of the lead-up to this celebration are current and former residents. Josef Songa is Bwalo's Minister for Communication, Broadcast, Education and Tourism and the man who was instrumental, in the early eighties, in bringing Tafumo and the uMunthu Party to power. He wrote the country's history book (a largely fictional tale), but now wonders if, like some of his oldest comrades, he has fallen out of favour with his (once close) friend and king, something that is not conducive to a long life expectancy. Irish ex-pat Sean Kelly has taught at the University for many years while dipping into journalism and trying to write the elusive Great Second Novel. Bwalo woman Stella is his fiancée, and he has come to love this little piece of Africa, but now bemoans the squandering of its potential. Hope nurses the ageing dictator, but was once close to the men who saw off British rule, even marrying Josef. Her failure to provide him with a son was only one reason she often felt his fists. She is one of few who know the true physical and mental health of their leader. Young Charlie Johnson lives at the Hotel Mirage with his parents, manager Stuart and accountant Fiona (who longs to return to Scotland). With his newly-acquired dictaphone, he enthusiastically interviews everyone he encounters, asking probing questions about their lives and polling how they feel about the Big Day. And, eavesdropping on guests, staff and the owner, Charlie learns more about what's going on than most of the adults. Currently from Kenya, Jack Franklin (who does have a history with Bwalo) has taken on a (what-soon-starts-to-look dubious) job smuggling an illegal chemical into the country. It becomes apparent that all is not as stated, but is it now too late to back out of the deal? Whispers and hints indicate that big change is coming to Bwalo: who will survive? These five narrators recount events from their vastly different perspectives. A cast of quirky characters populates this delightful novel: if some at first seem stereotypical, this impression is dispelled as the story develops. Their dialogue provides a good dose of satire, but Glancy also gives his characters wise words and succinct, insightful observations. Josef notes that "The tropics warp white men in strange ways" and "Power is a drug that makes the baboon forget he's foolish" while Hope remarks that "few monuments are as unmovable as the ego of a Bwalo man." Glancy sets his story in modern-day Africa, but in a place that is kept firmly rooted in the early nineteen-eighties by Tafumo's repressive regime. His plot is easily believable and manages to provide plenty of (occasionally dark) humour but also an exciting climax. Glancy's descriptive prose easily evokes the feel of Africa: his personal experience on the African continent and his love for the land and her people, despite their very human flaws, is apparent on every page. Sharing much of the tone and mood of Michael Holman's Kuwisha trilogy, this is an outstanding read. The Bolinda audio version of this novel is read by five very capable narrators, including Adjoa Andoh.

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