Book: Something to Answer For

"Something to Answer For" by Penelope Lively is a captivating exploration of moral ambiguity and the lingering shadows of colonialism. Set against the backdrop of the Suez Crisis in 1956, the novel follows the story of Tom Garvey, an unassuming British shipping agent. Summoned to the Egyptian town of Port Said by the widow of a deceased friend, Garvey finds himself embroiled in a world that is far more complex than he anticipated.

As he navigates the political upheaval and personal intrigues swirling around him, Garvey confronts the murky terrain of his own conscience and the messy entanglements of loyalty and betrayal. With richly drawn characters and a setting that vividly captures the tumultuous atmosphere of mid-20th century Egypt, Lively deftly examines the interplay of personal and political narratives. The novel is both a gripping tale of suspense and a profound meditation on the responsibilities and legacies left in the wake of imperial ambitions.