After an exhausting day of hard labour, Ben finds oblivion in the seedy bars and clubs of River Road ¿ anything to leave his cockroach-infested rooms and ignore the reality of living paycheck to paycheck. At times, it''s difficult to remember that it wasn''t always this way. Somehow, he went from a promising career as a soldier to a disgraceful dismissal and a steady decline into poverty. Now the only thing Ben has left to lose is hope.Writing with colourful realism, Meja Mwangi paints an unforgettable depiction of life in Nairobi''s slums ¿ drawing attention to the hardships of the working poor and their disillusion with uncaring politicians.''[Mwangi is] among the leading Kenyan writers.'' <i><b>New York Times</b></i> ''Riveting.'' <i><b>Guardian</b></i> ''The finest African novel ever.'' <b>Professor Ibrahim Bello Kano</b>