These stories are described as Science Fiction, and it's true that the narrators, who include elephants, don't seem to live in a world most of us would recognise. They do, however, have to tackle such recognisable problems of human family life as love, rejection, respect, hatred, hope and grief. Definitely not an easy read but these beautifully written stories are guaranteed to stay in the mind.
'I was an embarrassment to my wives and my slave-men and my "wisdom". I preached purity and lived a prince's life. Bonneh preached nothing and lived in purity. Her vow held her steady, and not all my glamour and power could ever budge that woman. She was before me as my lesson every day, yet did I ever learn?'