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The Palm Oil Stain

The Palm Oil Stain

Author(s): Nadia Maddy

Location(s): Freetown, Sierra Leone

Genre(s): Fiction

Era(s): 1990s/2000s

Location

Content

The Palm Oil Stain is a brutal tale of a woman’s journey of love and survival. Set against the backdrop of the Rebel War in Sierra Leone, Shalimar escapes an attack on her village assisted by a South African mercenary the locals call Chameleon. Displaced in Freetown, Shalimar devises a plan to return home to locate her family while forging an unlikely relationship with Chameleon whose alcoholic abuse has left him bereft of any emotion. Shalimar soon learns her predicament was brought about by the betrayal of those close to her. Shalimar’s decision to risk the wrath of the Rebels in the abandoned villages in order to find her family changes the course of her and Chameleon’s life forever. The Palm Oil Stain is a deeply moving love story that relays the harsh reality of war, betrayal and redemption.

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Book Reviews

Lead Review

All the details of the countryside, forest, and bustling streets of Freetown are really well observed, and the book gives a balanced view – Sasha C –

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