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Released: 01/06/2012

ISBN: 9781780882031
eISBN: 9781780888613

Format: Paperback/eBook

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Tunisian Dreams

A novel

by Ivor Rawlinson

Celia, an ex-BBC journalist turned film director, is in Tunisia a year before the Arab Spring with her handsome, archaeologist boyfriend, Sam, looking for locations for her next film. She comes across a story she cannot resist. She could not know that it would change her life, blunt her emotions, but make her name.

Whilst Celia is out of contact for weeks following her story, Sam thinks she's found someone else. Once back in London, he falls for the attractive and rich Alison Grainger. Sam, who has always been money conscious, has his own lucrative project; to turn one of Tunisia's most interesting Roman ruins into a living Roman-era town, with actors in togas, nudes in the public baths and gladiators - financed by the cynical, immensely rich Mr Ayeb. But Sam has a dilemma: he's uncovered something sensational at the site. It needs excavating but to do so would hold up the living town project - and Mr Ayeb's projects are never held up.

In a beautiful country ripe for revolt, this is a story of a man and two women: secrets suppressed, feminine curiosity, an epic quest and migration from Africa - the problem no one wants to face. We are given fascinating insights into the rights of the citizens of Roman Africa in 200 AD. We're cleverly engaged in the debate about commercialising our heritage and the plight of sub-Saharan Africans looking for a better life. The characters are true to life: interesting but flawed.

Suspense is maintained to the very end when the threads are drawn together in an unexpected, spectacular and profoundly moving ending. Written by an ex-Ambassador to Tunisia, with an assured style and great sensitivity, this is an exceptionally readable and thoughtful page-turner.

Author news

"Thoroughly gripping... a page-turner spiced with erudition and love of a country we all ought to know better" - Philip Norman, author and journalist.

"Hooked from the start... a most successful novel...clear, uncomplicated style...very evocative pre-revolutionary atmosphere with a moving climax. The brave and resourceful heroine is a fine creation." Sir Nicholas Bayne.

"A cracking read and the perfect companion to a beach holiday in Tunisia." Stephen Day, former British ambassador to Tunisia.

"A dramatic,moving and contemporary novel. Chapters finish on cliff-hangers. This is a great authorial talent." Joan Byrne, literary consultant.

http://www.tunisiandreams.com

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About the Author

Ivor Rawlinson

From 1999 - 2002 Ivor Rawlinson was British Ambassador in Tunisia, the setting for his novel "Tunisian Dreams". After reading English at Christ Church, Oxford, Ivor's diplomatic career took him to Poland, Barbados, Paris, Mexico,Italy and Canada with spells in the Foreign Office in between.

Since leaving Tunis, Ivor has been a career counsellor, school governor, charity trustee and lecturer as well as writing. Ivor's wife is French - also a writer - and they have three children. They live in Clapham but spend time each summer at an old farmhouse near Lyons in France.