The Milkweed National Fiction Prize
Milkweed Editions awards the Milkweed National Fiction Prize to works of high literary quality that embody humane values and contribute to cultural understanding. For more information about the Milkweed National Fiction Prize or to order past winners, visit our Web site (www.milkweed.org) or contact Milkweed Editions at (800) 520-6455.
Driftless
David Rhodes
(2008)
The Farther Shore
Matthew Eck
(2007)
Visigoth
Gary Amdahl
(2006)
Crossing Bully Creek
Margaret Erhart
(2005)
Ordinary Wolves
Seth Kantner
(2004)
Roofwalker
Susan Power
(2002)
Hell’s Bottom, Colorado
Laura Pritchett
(2001)
Falling Dark
Tim Tharp
(1999)
Tivolem
Victor Rangel-Ribeiro
(1998)
The Tree of Red Stars
Tessa Bridal
(1997)
The Empress of One
Faith Sullivan
(1996)
Confidence of the Heart
David Schweidel
(1995)
Montana 1948
Larry Watson
(1993)
Larabi’s Ox
Tony Ardizzone
(1992)
Aquaboogie
Susan Straight
(1990)
Blue Taxis
Eileen Drew
(1989)
Ganado Red
Susan Lowell
(1988)
Milkweed Editions
FOUNDED IN 1979, MILKWEED EDITIONS IS ONE OF THE largest independent, nonprofit literary publishers in the United States. Milkweed publishes with the intention of making a humane impact on society, in the belief that good writing can transform the human heart and spirit.
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Special underwriting for this book was contributed by Joanne and Phil Von Blon.
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Interior design by Ann Sudmeier.
Typeset in Dante MT
by Prism Publishing Center.
Printed on acid-free Rolland Enviro
(100% postconsumer waste)
by Friesens Corporation.
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
© 2007, Text by Matthew Eck
All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher: Milkweed Editions, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Suite 300, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415.
(800) 520-6455
www.milkweed.org
Please turn to the back of the book for a list of the sustaining funders of Milkweed Editions.
The Library of Congress has catalogued the cloth edition of this book as follows:
Eck, Matthew, 1974–
p. cm.
“Milkweed national fiction prize winner.”
eISBN : 978-1-571-31859-6
1. Mogadishu (Somalia)—Fiction. 2. Somalia—History—1991—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3605.C55F37 2007
813’.6—dc22
2007017509
This book is printed on acid-free, recycled
(100% postconsumer waste) paper.
