Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After thoroughly enjoying Ngugi’s ‘A Grain of Wheat’and filled with a love for the African writing, I set on to read this book. I was not disappointed! This book amazed me, moved me and changed me. It follows a Black South African in search for refuge in Botswana. He finds himself in the company of Dinorego, a sweet old man who leads him to the village of Golema Mmidi. How will this village of misfits receive him? How will this community survive and thrive in the brutal landscape of Botswana? This is a tale of the human journey. A tale of triumph over trials and love over hate. Oh, Botswana! I loved how agricultural practices are incorporated into the plot. Bessie Head is truly an amazing writer. 5 stars!
My favourite quote: You may see no rives on the ground but we keep the rivers inside us. That is why all good things and good people are called rain. Sometimes we see the rain clouds gather in the sky. It is all in our hearts.
PS: I read this masterpiece during the dry season or ‘summer’ of my country. I could not help but draw parallels between my world and that of Golema Mmidi. I have always wanted to visit the Kalahari Desert. If I could live in the desert, wow, my dreams.
(Side note) I want to be a farmer in the future so the agricultural ways of Gilbert had me really inspired and fascinated. I kind of, low-key, fell in love with Makhaya, though I wish Bessie delved more into his love story with Paulie. Hey Mach, do you have a spare hut I can use when I visit?
I hope to read more of Bessie’s works in the near future. Is tomorrow a good time?
My favourite quote: You may see no rives on the ground but we keep the rivers inside us. That is why all good things and good people are called rain. Sometimes we see the rain clouds gather in the sky. It is all in our hearts.
PS: I read this masterpiece during the dry season or ‘summer’ of my country. I could not help but draw parallels between my world and that of Golema Mmidi. I have always wanted to visit the Kalahari Desert. If I could live in the desert, wow, my dreams.
(Side note) I want to be a farmer in the future so the agricultural ways of Gilbert had me really inspired and fascinated. I kind of, low-key, fell in love with Makhaya, though I wish Bessie delved more into his love story with Paulie. Hey Mach, do you have a spare hut I can use when I visit?
I hope to read more of Bessie’s works in the near future. Is tomorrow a good time?
“You may see no rivers on the ground but we keep the rivers inside us. that is why all good things and all good people are called rain. Sometimes we see the rain clouds gather even though not a cloud appears in the sky. It is all in our heart.”
.
.
I would give this book 10 stars if i could - What a poignant and beautiful story. This is my first time reading a book written by Bessie Head and i am glad i started with this book. Bessie Head described her characters in a brilliant way. She managed to give each of the characters their own voice despite the story centrally focused on Makhaya, a South African Man whose escaped to Botswana to start a new life. Agriculture is a major part of the story that connected all of the characters mentioned in this story - From Gilbert, whose a british citizen that decided to come to Golema Mmidi Village and be a part of the agricultural development project, Maria - A daughter of Elder Dinorego, a strong headed woman whose finally agreed to marry gilbert and Paulina, a very resourceful woman that could persuade villagers in joining the agricultural project led by Gillbert. She’s also has set her eyes on Makhaya though she’s not sure whether Makhaya felt the same towards her. The story portrayed poverty in a vivid manner - with additional elements of tribalism, oppression both from local elites and white men, and the power struggle that happened between Chief Seroke and Metange especially when Gilbert Present in the village caused a clash of opinion between these 2 individuals. I was in awe with the the way Bessie wrote this story without any over explanation despite the complexity of her characters. I’ll be reading more of her books and short stories because her ability to add the social justice components in her novel plot without being the need to preach about it. For a novel about Botswana, a country that i have a very little information about, this is such a great introduction to peek at it via literary portrayal.
.
.
I would give this book 10 stars if i could - What a poignant and beautiful story. This is my first time reading a book written by Bessie Head and i am glad i started with this book. Bessie Head described her characters in a brilliant way. She managed to give each of the characters their own voice despite the story centrally focused on Makhaya, a South African Man whose escaped to Botswana to start a new life. Agriculture is a major part of the story that connected all of the characters mentioned in this story - From Gilbert, whose a british citizen that decided to come to Golema Mmidi Village and be a part of the agricultural development project, Maria - A daughter of Elder Dinorego, a strong headed woman whose finally agreed to marry gilbert and Paulina, a very resourceful woman that could persuade villagers in joining the agricultural project led by Gillbert. She’s also has set her eyes on Makhaya though she’s not sure whether Makhaya felt the same towards her. The story portrayed poverty in a vivid manner - with additional elements of tribalism, oppression both from local elites and white men, and the power struggle that happened between Chief Seroke and Metange especially when Gilbert Present in the village caused a clash of opinion between these 2 individuals. I was in awe with the the way Bessie wrote this story without any over explanation despite the complexity of her characters. I’ll be reading more of her books and short stories because her ability to add the social justice components in her novel plot without being the need to preach about it. For a novel about Botswana, a country that i have a very little information about, this is such a great introduction to peek at it via literary portrayal.
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really enjoyed this. It felt like a very light book even though it dealt with some difficult topics.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This is a slow read with a lot of discussion of farming in Botswana - but there are also strong characters grappling with the human condition. I learned a lot about the African experience during this time and place. It was bittersweet and in the end I was glad that I persevered!
syllabus book, i liked this one a lot !! super fascinating characters. enjoyed how much the setting and the use of agriculture influenced the plot of the book and how readers understood the characters
paperback.
White people try to fix things in Botswana, they do more harm then good. Postcolonialism.
White people try to fix things in Botswana, they do more harm then good. Postcolonialism.
Hardship and compassion, with lots of everyday life and culture mixed in. I grew to love the community of Golema Mmidi, especially Gilbert, Paulina, Makhaya, and Mma-Millipede through watching them actively hope in the face of adversity. At times the characters got a little more philosophical than I wanted (especially Makhaya), but only just a little.