One of Afrocritik's Most Anticipated Books of 2026

A Ms. Magazine February 2026 Reads For the Rest of Us

An epic story of espionage, love, and sacrifice in Africa.

1960s Africa, 13-year-old Elen, determined to escape her arranged marriage to an old man, absconds from Ethiopia to Eritrea, hoping to find her aunt living in the capital city, Asmara.  Meanwhile, Germai escapes his abusive stepmother after the death of his beloved father only to end up homeless and starving on the streets of the city.  Overcoming the odds, Elen and Germai both grow up to be successful business owners, each with their own lives and families. When the Derg regime overthrows the government, they turn Asmara into a nightmare of roaming bands of soldiers, randomly beating and shooting civilians with impunity. Wading through the bloodbath of the Red Terror, Elen and Germai are recruited to the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) as spies. Facing abuse and execution if discovered, they fight for cash and weapons, and mine contacts for information.

The stakes rise as the horror of Derg-sanctioned torture leaks out of dissident detention centers. Elen and Germai struggle to face their precarious fight for justice and a growing passion for each other.  As they fall in love, they are faced with uncomfortable moral choices, tragedy, and heroism in a struggle and a cause bigger than their own lives.

Born at the End of the World tells a powerful true story of patriotism, love, camaraderie and heroism no less uplifting or appalling than Schindler's List.