This is the story of a young American missionary family, who go to the DRC (then known as the Belgian Congo) in the 1960s to try and convert the Congolese people to Christianity.  As the Congolese start to fight for independence, they are increasily caught up in the political situation , mostly because of the tyrannical rule of Nathan, the father and preacher in the family. 

I thought this story was cleverly told; the author uses the voice of Orleanna, the mother, as well as the four children to show the reader the different aspects of the story. Orleanna is more aware of the complicated political sitation, and the children are more in touch with the people to whom Nathan is preaching, and what they truly think of his message. 

This was much more of an epic than I expected it to be - there were multiple points where I thought the story could have wrapped up, but instead the author chooses to show how the lives of her characters were more wholly affected by their time in the Congo. There is a lot of warmth and heart in this novel, especially when the author describes how a place can get under your skin and affect your perception of what you thought you knew. Highly recommend. 

Discussed in depth in episode #69 of The Bookcast Club podcast. Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1116755/10563435