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Summary: close to home
Review: For anyone who spent some of their formative years in Africa this is a truly magical book - the almost osmotic relationship with your nanny, the african words long forgotten and the mood of the times was brought back to life for me in 3d Technicolour and Dolby stereo sound. If nothing else buy this book to remember the appalling terror of the tokalosh....TFB
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Summary: a fun way to know Zimbabwe
Review: For those having the "African fever", a booster, (though not written at the excellent level of Doris Lessing) then supplement it with other works of writers raised in the country and possibly a trip to the real Zimbabwe, & voila, you just had a grandiose trip to a world you never knew existed. Now, going deeper to know and sympathize with the plight of people of Zimbabwe, black or white is another level but Mukiwa is a very very very good start, and may even prove to be worth rereading especially now that I am about to embark on my next visit to Zimbabwe.And oh,if only history school books were written in similar fashion...
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Summary: This is the real Rhodesia,innocent,cruel & funny all at once
Review: I grew up in Rhodesia at the same time as the author & have been able to relate on a one to one basis and have found myself often laughing at Peters wit in his writing as I kept finding close similarities to my growing up in Rhodesia. Even to our house servants being named Tickey & Sixpense. Anyone can read & enjoy this book . It shows the relationship between European & African during those pre Zimbabwe years. A good read
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Summary: absolute the best book ever!!!!!
Review: I read this book before I went to Zimbabwe and the day I came back, I read this book again. This is really the best and most wonderful book ever. I do think that everyone should read this book, if you are interested in Zimbabwe/Southern Africa or not.
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Summary: A MUST READ for anyone interested in Southern Africa
Review: I read this on the train going into Bulawayo. I wish I had read it even before I started my trip. Even if you never go to Africa, this book will fascinate you. It chronicals the painful formation of a new country and how people dealt with that change. It sheds light on what is happening in Zimbabwe today. The superb writing goes from light and whimsical to stark and alarming. It struck me as being a very honest book, and I felt grateful to Godwin for writing it.
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Summary: It's a factual, realistic and compelling read.
Review: I was at school with Peter Godwin , grew up in the Eastern Highlands and served in the police at the same time. What Peter describes is true, it was a confusing, bitter and tragic time for both sides, black and white and Mukiwa captures this in way that takes courage, foresight and immense love of the country. His views are forthright and clear, on more than one occasion I had to wince at the truth of what he was saying. It's a superb chronicle of the last years of Rhodesia and articulates the tragedy of a vicious conflict that in the end produced no outright winner. Read it !
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Summary: A must read for all those interested in Southern Africa!!
Review: I was born in and lived in Rhodesia until the age of 16. I left the country in 1976, and left my heart there. Peter Godwin's recalling his childhood days and high school days could be my own story. After that, we have only one thing in common, an undying love for the land and the people. I have never been back. This book has brought me one step closer to the 'pilgrimage' that I hope to make some day. Mukiwa allowed me to stretch all my emotions. I laughed at all the familiar stories, I pondered the many things I never understood, I cryed with the people of Rhodesia, I was angered at events that should never have happened and finally, I began to see all a little clearer. Read this book and learn. God bless Zimbabwe
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Summary: An outstanding book that open the gates of my memories
Review: I was born in SA, educated in England and served in the British Army in the late 80's and early 90's in the Gulf and Northern Ireland. I then served in a quasi military capacity in Mozambique at the end of the civil war there. As such this book pulled together a number of experiences that I had almost forgotten. The word "muti" is already in daily use in all my family - mainly because it is so useful - but I had forgotten the horrors of the "tokolosh" - reading this book was like smelling lost odours and scent in the wind and it really took me back to times and places that I had forgotten - not all of them happy. Reading this book was therapy - it is good to know that others have seen the terrible contradictions in this world and that ultimately, there are no immediate answers. Peter - if you are reading this thank you and please write another one. Cheers
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Summary: You don't have to know anything about Africa to enjoy this.
Review: I've never been to Africa, and I grew up in an environment as far away as possible from Rhodesia - in the middle of a concrete jungle in Tokyo. Peter draws such a vivid picture of Rhodesia at that time that I felt as though I was watching a documentary film, despite my lack of knowledge in the region and people. Most importantly, it doesn't matter where the story takes place, because it is a story of multi-cultural upbringing which I could relate to.
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Summary: Reflections of my own time in Rhodesia
Review: It has been many years since I have read such a compelling book. Having been brought up in the Rhodesias (Northern and Southern)the book brought back many fond memories, with Peter's descriptions of events, customs and people reminding me of those parts of my life when I was happiest and, at the same time, the saddest during the civil war. Well done Peter.
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