Description

Book Synopsis

Ten-year-old Flambeau waits for his young mother to arrive from the Congo, along the same dangerous route that the human traffickers smuggled him. Homesick and pining for love, he sees a glimpse of life in his young neighbor, Eleanor, and her gangster boyfriend, Knight - a fellow Congolese.

Eleanor, a pale Scottish beauty, offers Flambeau the warmth and empathy that London has hitherto failed to provide; while Knight - dressed to the nines and dressed to kill - might just have the contacts to find Flambeau''s mother, Bijou.

But Knight''s past is so troubled, and his present so dangerous, that to challenge the traffickers to find Bijou might be more than his life is worth - something neither a lovesick girl nor a ten-year-old boy can be expected to understand.



Trade Review
'This is epic story telling. Tender and moving, Rhumba proves Elaine Proctor to be a great novelist' Mike Leigh. * Mike Leigh *
'Her sparse, poetic language and ability to set up a scene makes this an unforgettable debut' New Internationalist magazine. * New Internationalist magazine *
'Well-paced and beautifully written, this book is outstanding and will linger in your memory' Red. * Red *
'Takes us deep into the lives of Congolese immigrants in London ... a compelling piece of fiction, complete with a succession of terrific set-pieces and a touching plot ... thrilling' Daily Mail. * Daily Mail *

Rhumba

    Product form

    £6.74

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £8.99 – you save £2.25 (25%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 4 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Elaine Proctor

    10 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Rhumba by Elaine Proctor

      Publisher: Quercus Publishing
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 11/04/2013
      ISBN13: 9780857385093, 978-0857385093
      ISBN10: 0857385097

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Ten-year-old Flambeau waits for his young mother to arrive from the Congo, along the same dangerous route that the human traffickers smuggled him. Homesick and pining for love, he sees a glimpse of life in his young neighbor, Eleanor, and her gangster boyfriend, Knight - a fellow Congolese.

      Eleanor, a pale Scottish beauty, offers Flambeau the warmth and empathy that London has hitherto failed to provide; while Knight - dressed to the nines and dressed to kill - might just have the contacts to find Flambeau''s mother, Bijou.

      But Knight''s past is so troubled, and his present so dangerous, that to challenge the traffickers to find Bijou might be more than his life is worth - something neither a lovesick girl nor a ten-year-old boy can be expected to understand.



      Trade Review
      'This is epic story telling. Tender and moving, Rhumba proves Elaine Proctor to be a great novelist' Mike Leigh. * Mike Leigh *
      'Her sparse, poetic language and ability to set up a scene makes this an unforgettable debut' New Internationalist magazine. * New Internationalist magazine *
      'Well-paced and beautifully written, this book is outstanding and will linger in your memory' Red. * Red *
      'Takes us deep into the lives of Congolese immigrants in London ... a compelling piece of fiction, complete with a succession of terrific set-pieces and a touching plot ... thrilling' Daily Mail. * Daily Mail *

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account