THE TREE THAT GREW FROM THE ASHES

The story is set in an imaginary slum. It is about people who have been brought together by fate. There is productive good in most people, if only it can be cultivated. Emma, a social worker, believes in this and tries to enhance the confidence of those in despair. She adopts Asha and brings her up. She and her idealist friend Job are determined to end the suffering for the dwellers.

There is Dhobi, an electrical technician and a good man. Dhobi's high school friend Seam becomes a notorious pickpocket. He also charms and marries the good girl Asha who has no idea what her husband does for a living. Then she finds out.

The story takes us into the labyrinth of life in the slums and into the deep recesses of the various characters as they traverse through life trying to make sense of it and rationalising when they fail.

Mathenge captures the intricate relationships in a simple, humorous yet realistic v/ay.