Mukiwa - A white boy in Africa (Peter Godwin)

This is a beautiful story about growing up in Africa and the magic that exists there. In this book Peter Godwin tells his family’s story and the story of Zimbabwe/Rhodesia. Many of us who grew up in Zimbabwe do not have a “historical conscience”, certain things simply were not discussed as we were growing up, and our parents simply assumed that we knew what had happened before. It was great reading the book, reminiscing and putting the pieces together (not necessarily agreeing in all points).

The book can also be enjoyed by non Zimbabweans, the vocabulary and instances that might not be understood by a person who is not from Africa are all explained and the story is told in a funny easy to read way. Although there is war and death, it is a hopeful book.

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.