Literary Fiction — The Book Roads

Beyond the Rice Fields

Naivo

Nineteenth-century Madagascar is a kingdom on the brink of profound transformation. Tsito, a young boy enslaved after the destruction of his village, is taken to live in Sahasoa, where he develops a close bond with Fara, the daughter of his new master. As they grow older, their lives diverge: Tsito dreams of freedom, while Fara struggles with her family’s secrets and the restrictions placed upon her future. Their world is transformed by the arrival of British Christian missionaries and French industrialists, whose influence intensifies existing political and cultural tensions. As religious persecution and brutal royal purges spread across the kingdom, Tsito and Fara find themselves caught in a violent struggle over faith, power, and belonging. Through their intertwined stories, Naivo explores the legacy of slavery, the collision between Malagasy traditions and European influence, and the devastating consequences of political and religious intolerance.

Madagascar 2017