"Terrifying . . . Emmanuel Dongala grabs us from the start with a language that is rude and raw (Mad Dog''s) and lyrical (Laokolé''s). . . . He continues to vividly re-create his burning piece of earth." -The New York Times Book Review

"The manner in which Dongala juxtaposes these two characters'' experiences explains more about these wars than most news stories ever could . . . Dongala''s fast-paced, irreverent style makes the novel a memorable, thoroughly enjoyable read." -The Boston Globe

"Not only does [Dongala] show the terror, he shows the absurdity, the banality, even the cruel humor, [and] takes swipes at Western relief workers, UN troops, the international media, and ''political experts'' who continue to recycle the same story from Africa''s war zones." -Anderson Tepper, The Washington Post Book World

"Stark, blackly comic . . . In Laokolé and Mad Dog, Emmanuel Dongala gives us two equally extraordinary portraits of [his characters'' brains]." -Associated Press