The Beautiful One (Wn Nefer in ancient Eqyptian) was the spirit of social change, guardian to devotees of progressive transformations, aka the beautiful ones. This novel contemplates the promised coming of such African life enhancers at Independence, and the social devastation following the abortion of that promise. Its protagonists expecting a new Africa, watch in dismay as their leaders choose the facile option of integrating into colonial state system - destructive to Africa, profitable to Europe - instead of creating a new, egalitarian African political economy. The continent is still bleeding from that ugly decision.

Is the future then closed? The title doesn't say never. It says not yet. Meaning: before birth comes seed time, planting, preparation.