Peter Godwin, an award-winning foreign correspondent and author, crafts compelling narratives deeply rooted in his extensive global reporting. His work primarily delves into the intricate tapestry of conflict, human resilience, and political upheaval, often set against the backdrop of Africa, the continent of his upbringing. Godwin's distinctive voice combines sharp observation with profound empathy, offering readers an incisive and moving exploration of diverse cultures and challenging realities.
The narrative revolves around Peter's emotional struggle as he faces the impending loss of his mother, a once dedicated doctor in Zimbabwe, now bedridden in a London home. The shift in her accent reflects both her deteriorating condition and the complexities of identity. As Peter navigates this poignant moment, themes of family, cultural dislocation, and the impact of illness on relationships emerge, highlighting the profound connection and tension between past and present.
The story of the disintegration of a family, set against the collapse of a country, a sequel of sorts to Peter Godwin's award-winning and bestselling memoir, Mukiwa.
A poignant, beautifully evocative, savagely violent memoir in the tradition of My Traitor's Heart. Rhodesia, 1946: A small boy witnesses the death of his neighbor, murdered by guerrillas, marking the beginning of white rule in Africa. Now, Peter Godwin, the witness to that murder, has written a vivid and moving account of growing up in a colony rapidly collapsing into chaos.