Perhaps not the most inspired of Khadra's books, it is nevertheless an investigation into the depths of the characters' souls. From wealthy Europe - Frankfurt, even, the capital of the European economy - and a suicide that, it will become clear, stems from a profound incapacity to understand what the true values of life are, to Africa, to kidnapping by pirates, to brutal violence that, it will also become clear, stems from the same incapacity. As I said, Khadra has written better, but it is still worth reading.