The latest addition to my website is Ibrahim Al-Koni ‘s التبر (Gold Dust). The book is set entirely in the Libyan desert. Ukhayyad, son of chief has been given a rare piebald camel by another chief. Camel and man will remain devoted to each other throughout the book. HoweverUkhayyad marries and has a son. At about that time (1910) the Italians invade the region causing massive hardship and famine. To feed his family, Ukhayyad sells the camel to a rich man. However the rich man has an ulterior motive – he wants Ukhayyad’s wife whom he has known for many years so deliberately mistreats the camel and Ukhayyad is persuaded to swap his wife for the camel. The rich man even gives him a bag of gold dust. When Ukhayyad later hears that the rich man is saying Ukhayyad sold his wife for a bag of gold dust, he reacts. This novel gives an excellent view of the life of the desert nomads and their camels.