SOUTH AFRICA, 1989. In a deeply divided country on the brink of change, two women from vastly different backgrounds share an unlikely friendship. Sofia Levantis, a Greek-Cypriot immigrant, longs to keep her family close, but when her children want to leave South Africa, the future she’s imagined begins to slip away. Meanwhile, Grace Molepe, Sofia’s housekeeper and trusted friend, pins her hopes on her son’s education and a future where he’ll no longer be treated like a foreigner in his own country. When their children’s lives become entangled in ways neither woman could foresee, the fallout threatens not only their dreams, but also the friendship on which they’ve come to rely. Into this turmoil, a priest from Sofia’s past arrives from a remote Greek monastery. His quiet presence steadies Grace, yet unsettles Sofia as long-buried secrets rise to the surface. But in this fractured world, where a nation and hearts are coming undone, can his prayers hold the pieces together, or will the past refuse to let go of the present? Spanning a time of upheaval and transformation, Under an African Sky is a story about friendship, family, forgiveness, and the fragile, resilient threads that connect us, even as the world around us unravels. "Under an African Sky is a heartfelt and thought-provoking read that celebrates the strength of women, the bonds of family, and the possibility of redemption." - Publishers Weekly BookLife "Catrakilis has masterfully created a vivid atmosphere brimming with life on every page." - Kirkus Review "This is a well-written novel that presents moral and spiritual dilemmas at every turn." - Readers Favorite "The book includes a thoughtful and thought-provoking depiction of the friendships and relationships between the diverse characters in the local community during turbulent times." - -The National Herald "This poignant story offers a rare glimpse into the nuanced lives of Greek immigrants, highlighting their struggles and triumphs while emphasizing the cultural tapestry that forms an essential part of this nation's history." - MENA Editors Network / Austria "Catrakilis has written a compelling family drama that is also a timely story about race, immigration, and the pain of assimilating in a city halfway around the world while longing for home." - Julia Glass, National Book Award-winning author of Three Junes and Vigil Harbor "With an authentic sense of place, Catrakilis contrasts the beauty of the country with the violence simmering in the background." - Johnnie Bernhard, author of Hannah and Ariela "What makes Under an African Sky special is the wisdom emerging from conflict to strike a positive note in our uncertain world." - Polyxeni Potter Honorary Consul of Cyprus, Atlanta Elene Catrakilis was born in South Africa to Greek-Cypriot parents. A former attorney turned writer, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband and is the mother of a son and a daughter. Under an African Sky is her debut novel. Her legal background and multicultural heritage continue to shape her understanding of human complexity and influence her work.