The Crescent Moon

"The Crescent Moon" by Francis Brett Young is an early 20th-century novel that follows Eva Burwarton and her brother James as they venture into East Africa as missionaries, where they quickly realize they are confronting more than just a crisis of faith. Arriving at Nairobi station, Eva’s striking appearance immediately clashes with the atmosphere surrounding her, filled with missionaries and injured soldiers. As the siblings begin their mission alongside their neighbor Godovius, they must navigate the complicated realities of colonialism, cultural differences, and the emotional difficulties of their new world as they face unforeseen dangers. The book highlights their personal struggles against the bigger issues shaking Africa during this tumultuous time.