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Product Reviews:
When Rain Clouds Gather (AWS African Writers Series) |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyed this book
Comments: I had purchased this book years ago while in college and it was just taking up space on my bookshelf. I finally got around to reading it and I am so glad that I did. It is a wonderfully written and poignant story. That love prevails at the end is just icing on the cake. Highly endorseed. |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: rare portrayal of African village life
Comments: A story about a black refugee from South Africa who finds a new home and the meaning of life in a small Botwana village. This book is a rare contemporary well-written portrayal of African village life, values, and impediments to progress. |
Rating: 2 (out of 5)
Summary: A new perspective, however could be improved
Comments: "When Rain Clouds Gather" follows an African refugee named Makhaya across the border from South Africa into Botswana. He settles in the village of Golema Mmidi, where he starts life anew. Makhaya meets and Englishman by the name of Gilbert Balfour, who Makhaya joins to help ameliorate the life of the villagers.
The book concentrates mainly on the agricultural aspects of this rural African life. This subject was quite irksome at times, including several pages devoted to the subject of the grain millet. Those pages supplied a relevant point regarding the fact that many Africans wouldn't eat millet, because it was eaten by "lesser" tribes, even though it was a much tougher crop than what they were growing at the time. The author Bessie Head also supplied a different perspective from the normal American viewpoint on political and social relations in this southern African country.
Notwithstanding the great description on life in a different part of the world, this book was quite platitudinous in nature. The writing lacked originality and style, which may discourage a reader. Admittedly, there may not have been any kind of action in rural Africa, however the plot line of this book went at a lethargic pace. Many of its subplots died off into nothingness, not to be mentioned again. For example, the political advisor to the chief of Golema Mmidi was mentioned a few times in the beginning of the book, giving the impression that he would play an important role later on. however partway through the story, he departs to a different part of the country, never to return. The book also lacked a definitive ending. Generally speaking, "When Rain Clouds Gather" offers a great view into bucolic Africa. However, this fresh perspective does not make up for the lack of plot. |
Rating: 1 (out of 5)
Summary: Poorly written, random digressions, and boring
Comments: When Rain Clouds Gather has to be1of the almost all boring books I have ever read. The structure is way off as the author randomly describes different parts of the story that have long been forgotten or are irrelevant. Descriptions of characters, places, and background information occur way too often, sometimes taking up more than half of each chapter. The story also switches focus randomly and way too often with no transitions and characters pop up out of nowhere. almost all of these characters have no relation to the main story and I feel that they were just added in to make the book longer (for some stupid reason). When Rain Clouds Gather is incredibly boring and I am sorry to say that I would NOT endorse this book to ANYONE. |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: A compelling look at life in rural Botswana
Comments: "When Rain Clouds Gather," the novel by Bessie Head, tells the story of a black South African refugee named Makhayo. He crosses the border into Botswana and becomes part of the village of Golema Mundi, whose members are experimenting with new agricultural methods under the tutelage of a white Englishman named Gilbert Balfour. Makhaya quickly becomes entwined in the political and social lives of Gilbert and the villagers.This book offers a fascinating look at rural African life. Head's topics include social and political change, conflict between science and traditional ways, tribalism, the role of traditional African chiefs, religion, race relations, and male-female relations. Overall, a compelling story. The author bio at the beginning of the book notes that Head was herself born in South Africa and eventually was granted Botswanan citizenship. For a great companion text to this novel, try "the Villagers," by Jorge Icaza. |
