A bitter-sweet love story which begins with a massive romantic gesture as Norman reads about Joy, a 'gold panning missionary' and sets out for Uganda to find and marry her. Language and descriptions are beautifully done - both precise and lush with images of decay. However, if you yearn for a happy ending - this might not be for you.
It was unjust, I know, but I felt deceived by Joy. I was angry with my imagination too, for sanctifying someone I was never going to like. An imagination which had more or less turned this gold panning missionary into an alchemist of the soul. The same imagination which, now angry, became perverse and said: here's the woman you're going to marry anyway, whether you like it or not ....
