The orphanage in Loango 1970’s

The novel starts at the orphanage in Loango, 20 kilometers from Pointe-Noire in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Moses states how isolated he feels from the rest of the country, stating that the orphanage feels like it is its own country. Most of the children know the orphanage as their only home. With the socialist revolution, the orphanage changes. Religion is banned and the teaching of Marxism–Leninism is made a priority. The orphanage is run by a cruel director, Dieudonné Ngoulmoumako, who employs his family members as the wardens.

Pointe-Noire

Pointe-Noire is a magical, mysterious place the children learn of from Papa Moupelo and their history teacher, Monsieur Doukou Daka. It represents an escape for them. When Moses and the twins escape they head to this magical place to live.

The Grand Marché

The Grand Marché is the market in Pointe- Noire where the...