The Screaming of the Innocent

Rating:
Summary: This book will leave you stunned.
Review: Unity Dow's novels explore the problems facing Africa today. I suggest that you first read her other book, Far and Beyon'. It details traditional customs, gender inequality, and the AIDs crisis, ending with courage and hope for the younger generation. Screaming of the Innocent is a more aggressive book, about a ritual killing. Dow knows her subjects well: as a lawyer, she helped prosecute a case of this sort. Be forewarned that the middle chapters lull the reader into a false sense of complacency. The protagonists seem to be ambling toward a happy ending. Keep reading. The final pages will leave you in total shock. It's a brilliant piece of writing. One can only hope that it helps stop the outrageously cruel killings.