In London, 21st June

In Ali, I tried to capture the innocence of the African soldiers, set apart from an ideology that forced them to fight a war about which they knew nothing. But Ali is not angry; he is a boy excited by the prospect of war and a new country. Isolated by his youth and keen to impress, he allowed me to explore the humour that surrounds a group of young men and the horror that comes with being African Chindit soldiers in Burma.

The story I wanted to tell is not just the story of my father. It is the story of every African soldier who fought, of everybody who was touched, however unknowingly, by the exploits of the Chindits.

- Biyi Bandele on his new novel, Burma Boy. Read more on his Myspace page.

• Biyi Bandele will read and sign books @ the Burma Boy launch event tomorrow 21 June, starting 8pm. Venue is Lewisham Library, Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LG / Tel: 0208-314-9800
• Also in London tomorrow - the Obi Okigbo exhibition comes to a close with an evening of readings @ the Brunei Gallery, SOAS - 6.30pm to 8.30pm. That's after her free gallery talk at 1pm.