In A Sorry State

Laughter in the dark in one of the poorest place on earth

Fast and furious fun in the topsy turvy world of development experts and international high flyers. In a Sorry State follows novice aid worker Faith Cullimore as she blazes a determined trail through the impoverished villages of northern Uganda. She’s only there to help, or so she keeps saying.

"'In a sorry State' offers a rare insight into the complex world of International Development ..... A well written and gripping tale...." Jo Coburn, Daily Politics show, BBC2
"‘Cheaper than flying and you’ll probably see more’." Jane O’Reilly
"‘Lurid, disrespectful and untrue….. A cruel mangling of the facts.’" Ministry of Overseas Development
"‘Rattles along splendidly. See you in court.’" Julian Carruthers

James Joughin was born and educated in Scotland. He first visited Africa while reading Development Economics at the University of Edinburgh. He spent the 70s in the Caribbean and the 80s in Papua New Guinea. He then returned to Africa, working for the development agencies all over the continent. From the mid-2000s he lived in Uganda. He has published academic papers and occasional journalism. He has been a pamphleteer and a DJ. This is his first novel. He lives in Brighton.