The Fear (Peter Godwin)

Another great book by Peter Godwin. This time he tells us about the awful events surrounding the last "elections" and the subsequent GNU (Government of National Unity).

When I first started reading it I thought there was too much information about torture, it was almost "listed". But then I understood that he would be betraying those people who testified if he didn't mention them in the book... and there was no other way of escaping "sensationalism" other than these "listings". 

Apart from this, which never ceases to shock and sicken the reader from beginning to end (human cruelty really has no limits) he does not disappoint, his usual descriptions of Zimbabwe still make you feel nostalgic and in a sense hopeful even in these (more than) hard times. If you are going to read this: PREPARE YOUR STOMACHS and your hearts. I think this was the most difficult book I ever read!

When a Crocodile eats the Sun (Peter Godwin)

Peter Godwin continues his family’s history and Zimbabwe’s history in this tragic book. This time he describes the country in another transition, that of apparent normality (1996) to complete chaos (2004). Whereas in Mukiwa there was a feeling of hope, in this book it is just sadness and destruction. I sometimes had to force myself to continue reading and could not hold back the tears. It is not that I did not know what was going on in Zimbabwe, although I left in 2000, it is the feeling of helplessness, futility and powerlessness.

It is beautifully written and I would strongly recommend it to those who are interested in 20th century history, Africa or simply non-fiction.