Not normally what I would go for but due to the short story format it's an enjoyable and fascinating read. If history is your thing then you'll love this book. ( )

Chatora has a comfortable writing style which explores some challenging themes and topics. I preferred some of his short stories to others, but each left an imprint. Chatora clearly considers his words carefully to get his perspective across and this allows the heart wrenching topics to be handled with respect and deliberation. It took me a while to get through all of them; I needed regular breaks as it is a harrowing read. It might be something to bear in mind if you plan on reading this rapidly.

I receivd this book directly from the author as an ARC. I thank him for that and for taking time to pen the personal note.

I was not sure what to expect from this collection. Sadly, it was not for me. I don't think I am part of the target audience for this. Having said that, the topics are not beyond my experience, I lived and worked in Zambia and West Africa over many years.

The topics covered are important but, for me, were too direct. I felt bombarded. I wasn't expecting to be entertained by the stories but I failed to connect with the characters for the most part. ( )

very much enjoyed the short stories.
All were well written and just the right amount of length to them. ( )

First of all thank you for the signed book with a lovely comment. I applied for this book through early reviewers as I am interested in views and experience of Zimbabwe. I had an uncle (white) who moved to Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in his early twenties during the 1960s with his wife and lived there until his death in 2022. I only met him a couple of times and found him to be an objectionable racist! The rest of my family and relatives are not like this at all, were anti-Brexit, pro-European, are Lib Dem/Labour voters and generally tolerant and kind to minorities of whatever sort. I myself am a woman and disabled and know prejudice and discrimination in this capacity. The stories varied in their appeal and ease of reading. The opening, titular story was engaging and interesting. The stories set in Britain were interesting in that they are spoken in a big city resident voice, a very different experience and quite alien to me as a rural living, white English person! This isn't to say I haven't come across horrible racism, indeed I have vicariously witnessed it first hand such as a doctor I worked with being stopped almost weekly by police because he was a young black man driving a Porche. I found "Fari's Last Smile" both interesting and moving and liked the dual setting of Britain and Zimbabwe of this story. This book is a really good way to learn more about life in a social science way rather than via a text book but if you are after an entertaining story then this won't be for you. ( )