The Greats

Guinea-Bissau, 2012. Mixing fiction and fact, Sylvain Prudhomme revisits the famous ‘70s music group Super Mama Djombo, as seen through the eyes of Couto, the laconic guitarist. After learning of the death of the singer, Dulce–once the love of his life&mdashCouto wanders through the capital city, from bar to bar, friend to friend. Thirty years file past in his memories: of the woman he loved, of guerillas fighting against Portuguese colonizers, and of the golden days of a legendary band that played all over the world with a sound that was new, fresh, and driven by the pride of an entire country.

Tension mounts page after page as the group prepares a final concert in Dulce’s honour, even as a coup d’ tat is prepared by her husband, Guinea-Bissau’s Army Chief of Staff.

Priase for The Greats:

The chronicle of a success story, a story of love and friendship set against the backdrop of a coup d’ tat, The Greats is also a beautifully written book. Vibrant and smooth, each line pulls us into an avalanche of sensations, of carnal notes where the ‘descending tone’ of creole words are scattered like pearls…. A sumptuous stroll through an Africa on the verge of a rebirth. –Les Inrockuptibles

A magnificent ode to music, love, and friendship…. This book will change you. –Lire

It’s a coup. A wild success. –l'Express

One of the most poetic texts of the new literary season. –Des livres Languorous and taut, Les grands is full of swing and style…. Readers will savour each note. –Livres hebdo