Children of the Quicksands - Efua Traoré

Set in Nigeria, this is the story of Simi who has grown-up in Lagos but who is being sent to spend the summer with the maternal grandmother (Iyanla) she has never met.  Her parents are divorced and her mum must train in England as part of her new job and, with nobody else to look after her, she is being sent to stay with her grandmother ... who doesn't know she is coming!  When she arrives, Simi realises that the village of Ajao  is a world away from the life she is used to: her grandmother doesn't have running water or electricity and there is absolutely no mobile phone signal to be found!  Life is very much back to basics and she quickly discovers that Iyanla is very well respected in the village, making herbal medicines for everyone.  In her first afternoon, she is sent for a walk whilst Iyanla helps an injured child who has been brought to her and whilst out, she defies Iyanla's warnings and veers towards the lake (lured by the song from the golden bird); however, when she falls into quicksand, she discovers a strange land below, one that scares her.  Waking up the next day, she decides not to tell anybody, fearing that it was all in her imagination.  But what is Iyanla not telling Simi?  Why is the village so scared of the lake and how is she linked to all of this?

Both the village of  Ajao and the contrasting city-life are painted in detail throughout the book, allowing the reader to embrace the culture and imagine themselves travelling alongside Simi on her magical journey - it's an immersive story which is no surprise as the book was based on Efua's own childhood adventures in the little town in Nigeria where she grew-up.

The relationship between Simi and Iyanla is key in the book and is perfectly explored.  There are clearly family secrets that are being hidden which would explain why Simi's mother hasn't been home for years, yet Iyanla is gentle, kind and welcoming when Simi arrives out of the blue.  She is nurturing and accepting but you see a stronger side to her when she visits Ekita - there is no doubt that this is a strong woman who is to be admired.  Through the course of the book Simi discovers an inner strength I don't think she realised she had: scared and worried at the beginning of the book, her time in Ajao shows her that there is much more to life than mobile phones and what she wears (something I think a lot of us would do well to remember!).  The pair work compliment each other perfectly and the development of their relationship is a joy to read.  

This is a beautifully told story that combines tradition with modern day; magic with myth, and family with friendship.  There is something magical in the writing (and indeed in the story) that gently grips you from the very beginning and compels you to keep reading!  It truly was mesmerising.  Children of the Quicksands will definitely be on my next recommendations display in Waterstones Newcastle!