''To stand with your peace-flag in front of an army tank and be surprised when you get shot at: this is all the joy of youth. To ask to be fired upon and then have all your friends be outraged for you: this is love.''

In the first years of this century, three young people, Anne-Marie, David and Mohammed, try to find their places in a changed world of identity politics, religion, conflict and betrayal. Set against the background first of student life and then Palestine, Israel and the Balkans, this beautifully written, original and powerful debut novel draws on the poetry of the Song of Songs and the Persian poet Rumi, and asks searching questions about the nature of betrayal, loyalty and identity, both in our personal lives and in today''s troubled world.