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The Frangipani Year

Author(s): Alexandra Harris

Location(s): Banda Aceh

Genre(s): Fiction

Era(s): Modern

Location

Content

One year after the Indian Ocean tsunami, Angela finds herself flying into the devastated region of Banda Aceh as a researcher for the UN. Enthusiastic and committed, the young American woman arrives at a place swarming with young aid workers and she soon enters a world that is nothing like what she has known.

Post-tsunami Banda Aceh is a unique bubble where everyday experiences like house hunting or going to a coffee shop are wracked with complications and a work trip can end up at a football game played by elephants. While Angela rapidly becomes disillusioned with the NGO life, she has to cope with falling in love in a region where men and women are traditionally segregated. Soon Angela finds herself wondering if she will have to choose between love and work.

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Book Reviews

Lead Review

Behind the scenes of the aid worker. A fascinating story

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