The Saviour Fish by Mark Weston

This book is a non-fiction account of the author’s life on a remote island on the Tanzania side of Lake Victoria.

It is a story of daily life yet at the same time dives into how the Nile Perch released into its waters in the 1950s has changed the course of the lakes balance eventually bringing the native cichlids to near-extinction. And how the changes in the lakes‘ ecosystem directly affected millions of people including the crippling effects of bilharzia.

He explores the effects on local communities and the response to the crisis including tales of witchcraft and sorcery. He spent two years of his life living with the families and fisherman who have been most affected.

This is an outsiders, yet an insiders look at the difficulties of life in this part of the world; it is partly a travel journal but also a look into an environmental crises.

To purchase a copy of this book, click here.

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