'The Mission Song' (1978) by John le Carré

'The Mission Song' is a complex and morally charged novel exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and the exploitation of Africa. The story is narrated by Bruno Salvador, known as Salvo, a half-Irish, half-Congolese interpreter raised by Catholic missionaries. Salvo's talent for languages makes him a valuable asset to the British intelligence services, often working covertly in high-stakes assignments.

Salvo is recruited for a secretive conference on a remote island, where Western and corporate interests discuss plans to install a puppet regime in the Congo under the guise of peace and prosperity. As he translates the discussions, Salvo becomes increasingly aware of the nefarious motives behind the operation, which aim to exploit the Congo's natural resources at the expense of its people.

Caught between his loyalty to his employers, his growing sense of justice, and his own identity as a child of the Congo, Salvo decides to act on his conscience. His attempt to expose the plot leads to personal betrayal and professional ruin, illustrating the high cost of standing up to power and corruption.

Le Carré uses Salvo's story to critique neo-colonialism, corporate greed, and the moral compromises of intelligence work. The Mission Song is both a suspenseful narrative and a poignant exploration of cultural dislocation and ethical responsibility.