Truth Is a Flightless Bird was our pick for May, and what a wild ride it was! Set in the heart of Nairobi—a city many of us have interacted—this crime fiction novel gave us a gripping, fast-paced narrative that felt both familiar and unsettling. Reading a story grounded in our own context made it even more impactful. Nairobi isn’t just a backdrop in this novel; it’s a character in its own right.
Nairobi is a city of layers. There’s what you see on the surface—modernity, hustle, vibrancy—and then there’s the shadowy underbelly: the silent networks of crime, corruption, power, and danger. Akbar Hussain takes us deep into these layers through the eyes of four main characters, each with secrets, flaws, and motivations that slowly unfold over the course of a single, intense day.
Kenya has long been known for its deeply entrenched corruption, and this book doesn’t shy away from exploring how ordinary people find themselves entangled in that system—sometimes by choice, sometimes by desperation. It also shines a critical light on the role of religion, particularly the unrealistic expectations placed on spiritual leaders. The book dares to question blind faith and the ways it can be manipulated.
One of the most thought-provoking themes we discussed was the duality of human nature. Truth Is a Flightless Bird shows how people present polished versions of themselves to the world while hiding their darker, more complex sides. That contrast—between the person we show and the person we truly are and what we are capable of—runs throughout the story.
The character development was exceptional. We were especially intrigued by Ciru. At first, she seemed like a warm, motherly figure, but as the story unfolded, she revealed a much more ruthless, savage side. That duality surprised us—and reminded us of how people, especially in survival mode, can be full of contradictions.
Another fascinating aspect was the book’s timeline. Everything happens within 24 hours. We kept asking ourselves: How did the author manage to pack so much into a single day? And yet, by the final page, it all made sense. The story felt complete. We had closure.
When we discussed who we’d recommend the book to, there were mixed thoughts. It’s definitely a book for readers who can handle moral ambiguity and don’t mind a challenge. Someone who is a devout, rule-following Christian might find it confronting. People who enjoy self-help or prefer tidy endings might struggle with the grey areas the book lives in. And honestly, we probably wouldn’t hand it to someone who’s never been to Nairobi—there’s just something about seeing your city reflected in fiction that makes it hit differently. As one member said, “Let’s not air all our dirty laundry to strangers.”
But for those who can handle the grit, the drama, the questions—it’s a must-read. This book is proper drama, and we were absolutely here for it.
As a book club, we rated Truth Is a Flightless Bird 3.5 out of 5 stars.