Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries, where the majority of its 18 million population live on less than £323 a year, one million people have HIV/AIDS and more than half of children don't even finish primary school. In The Spirit of Malawi, Susan Dalgety explores contemporary Malawi through the voices of its people, like Homba Mvkeani's granddaughter, Busi, who cared for her at home after a stroke, Wezi Mzumara, who dreams of Malawi becoming the fashion capital of Africa and Alexander Galimoto, wrongfully imprisoned in the country's most notorious prison.

Beautifully observed, this book looks behind the well-worn clichés of sub-Saharan Africa and explores how people really live, from the joy – and pain – of childbirth, to old age and death. Ultimately, Malawi's story is a story of hope.