Suspense and tense interpersonal dynamics characterize this taut bestselling novel set in the world of international humanitarian aid by Jean-Christophe Rufin, a co-founder of Doctors Without Borders.

The four men who accompany Maud on an aid convoy couldn’t be further from the clichéd idea of humanitarian volunteers. One by one, they reveal the secret wounds that have brought them to this conflict zone and, mile by mile, the true nature of their cargo becomes clear.

Prize-winning author Jean-Christophe Rufin has written a powerful psychological literary thriller that asks vital questions about the role of humanitarian action, bringing to light the most fundamental dilemmas of our age. As a new kind of violence insinuates its way into the heart of Europe, this novel asks whether it is more effective to counter violence with benevolent acts and enlightenment ideals or to take up arms against the enemy.

Jean-Christophe Rufin
Jean-Christophe Rufin is one of the founders of Doctors Without Borders and a former Ambassador of France in Senegal. He has written numerous bestsellers, including The Abyssinian, for which he won the Goncourt Prize for a debut novel in 1997. He also won the Goncourt Prize in 2001 for Brazil Red. His novels include The Red Collar (Europa, 2015), Checkpoint (Europa, 2017) and The Dream Maker (Europa, 2017).

• Jul 14 2017
  “this taut thriller is distinguished by its literary polish and moral heft”
  — Publishers Weekly
• Nov 22 2016
  “This mix of well-crafted characters, psychological suspense, and the harsh realities of life in wartime results in a nail-biting, challenging literary thriller.”
  — Kirkus Reviews