The end of Emily's long career was in sight. She had worked for airlines in Nairobi for many years and knew the challenges of running a successful company inside out, but that meant nothing when the country became independent and no longer tolerated a white woman in authority. Returning home to Africa after her wartime service, she met and married the man who was to be her partner for forty-five years. She couldn't settle into the life of being an obedient housewife and mother and forged a career as an airline executive in what was a man's world. Her career had taken her to the top. Emily had never conformed to social norms, in life or in love. She worked hard but also liked to play hard - living life to the full. After witnessing family and friends repatriated, she left the only life she had known. It was now time to say kwaheri (goodbye) to Nairobi.

ポール・ランバートが描く本作の真髄は、ケニア独立という激動の歴史のうねりに翻弄されながらも、自らの意志で翼を広げ続けた一人の女性、エミリーの強烈な生気にあります。単なるキャリアウーマンの成功譚ではなく、男性社会や人種的対立、そして変わりゆく国家のアイデンティティの中で、決して何者にも従属しなかった魂の記録といえるでしょう。 別れを意味する「クワヘリ」という言葉が示す通り、愛する土地を離れる喪失感の描写は圧巻です。型破りな愛と仕事に生きた彼女の人生は、失われゆく時代への痛切な挽歌であり、同時に、自分の居場所を最後まで探し求めた人間の気高い闘争の物語です。彼女の歩みは、読む者の胸に「真に自由に生きるとは何か」という根源的な問いを突きつけてやみません。