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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
A Lesson in Geography by Charles Jamison follows Argus Morrison, whose journey begins when he meets Haverton, an American detained in Mombasa, who gives Argus a set of coordinates linked to a shipwreck off Brazil’s coast. The coordinates are believed to lead to hidden gold, a crucial resource for UNITA’s survival during the Angolan civil war. As Argus investigates, he is pursued by Morgan, a former soldier who is determined to retrieve the coordinates. Along the way, Argus has moments where his past regrets and complicated relationships, including with his partner Rebecca, haunt him. As he evades Morgan's pursuit across East Africa, Argus follows the trail to Brazil, where he meets Anísio Dantas, an artist, and Cristina, a woman he grows close to. Argus uncovers more about the gold, the people connected to it, and his own purpose in continuing the dangerous quest until a cataclysmic confrontation threatens to derail everything.
Charles Jamison does an excellent job of mixing action, betrayal, and the realities of war in A Lesson in Geography in the aftermath of Angola breaking away from Portugal. Jamison's skill in description brings the trans-continental chase to life in almost cinematic detail. I particularly loved the incorporation of culture with the portrayal of the Candomblê ceremony, where Argus’s unsettling encounter with the sea goddess Iemanjá heightens how far-reaching the story is. As a person of color, the group whose formation is rooted in the slave trade was incredibly poignant. The connection between Angola, the Afro-Brazilian religion, and the grip of colonialism from over a century ago shows very intelligent storytelling by the author. Overall, the novel succeeds in delivering not only a thrilling political treasure hunt but also an immersive narrative and a shocking twist ending that is sure to please. Very highly recommended.
