the_sinister_trophy_kiriamiti
2001 Nominated

The Sinister Trophy

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

To Son of Fate, life is a grim, long and fruitless struggle for survival after he is released from Kamiti Maximum Prison. He tries his hand at farming, tilling a small piece of land left to him by his grandmother, but rural life proves unappealing to him. Son of Fate, therefore, decides to try his luck in the city. Here he ends up sleeping on the pavements – otherwise known as the ‘missing line’ – when money runs out. Then he starts doing odd jobs: being a watchman, shoe shining, selling fruits and second hand clothes. But everything fails and he constantly finds himself on the wrong side of the law becoming a hunted man once again.

This is until the day he rescues a tycoon from the mouth of a python – then comes a glimmer of hope. That is the point at which we part ways with him in the story Son of Fate. But then Son of Fate bounces back in The Sinister Trophy; a trophy sought after by so many – and they will stop at nothing – virtually nothing – to get the trophy. What is it about this menacing trophy?

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR John
KirIamiti

John Kiriamiti, a former crook-turned-novelist, wrote My Life in Crime while doing time at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison where he was ‘cooling porridge’ for a series of bank robberies that rocked 1960s and 1970s Kenya. Kiriamiti is best known as the writer of My Life in Crime and My Life with a Criminal: Milly’s Story, which were both a sensation with Kenyan youth in the late 1980s and ’90s. (from African Books Collective)
John Kiriamiti, a former crook-turned-novelist, wrote My Life in Crime while doing time at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison where he was ‘cooling porridge’ for a series of bank robberies that rocked 1960s and 1970s Kenya. Kiriamiti is best known as the writer of My Life in Crime and My Life with a Criminal: Milly’s Story, which were both a sensation with Kenyan youth in the late 1980s and ’90s. (from African Books Collective)
We're sorry, but we couldn't find any translators matching your search. Please try using different keywords or check back later as we regularly update our collection.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
Kenya
Publisher
East African Educational Publishers

RELATED FEATURES

News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
Video May 12 2026

Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A

Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
Video May 8 2026

Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A

Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.