Coming back to Zimbabwe on holiday just before Christmas was a mistake. Now everyone expects a special Zim present. Instead of enjoying the flowers in bloom and relaxing in the humour and kindness of the Zimbabwean spirit, I have to scour the shops for small, light gifts.
Beautiful stone sculptures weigh too much, baskets are too big, and so I’ve bought some very striking beadwork animals. Then, I go to my friend’s for tea and see she’s reading Charles Mungoshi’s Walking Still and I’m reminded that Zimbabwe has many fine writers.
After fruitlessly trying Kingstons, Mambo and Baroda for some local fiction, someone recommended Folio bookshop in Borrowdale, a charming little shop with a nice display, but not much Zimbabwean, though I do buy a copy of the much-heralded We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo, which was shortlisted for the ManBooker – a perfect gift for a friend who has just won a scholarship to America.
Finally, my friend and I land at Weaver Press hidden in the suburbs without even a sign on the gate. Of course, all they have are Weaver books because they’re a publisher not a bookseller but I do manage to winkle out a few others: September Sun by Bryony Rheam, the story of growing up in Rhodesia and learning to become a Zimbabwean. Great fit for my Aunt Bessie, I thought, who still wavers somewhere between the two worlds. I buy my father two volumes of poetry by two very different poets, John Eppel with Songs My Country Taught Me and Julius Chingono, the man with the wonderful smile and great spirit, with Flags of Rags, plus his collection of stories Not Another Day, which my friend says are as funny as they are poignant.
For my kind, religious uncle, I buy a hard copy of Conscience be My Guide, which even I find absorbing after just a first dip: how does one survive years in solitary confinement with a sense of humour and resilience intact?
At this point, I can check four names off my Christmas list, so I take a deep breath and keep browsing. I’ve read The Hairdresser of Harare and loved it for its contemporary feel and because it made me laugh, though the issues it deals with are not always a joke. I’ve also read An Elegy for Easterly, which is equally fine and perceptively written, but these two books have been passed right round my immediate family.
By this time, I’m flagging, and only wanting to lie by the pool, so I decide on three other collections of short stories on a hit and miss basis, hoping to fit them to a family member, post-eventum as it were. Writing Free, as it is an anthology with a selection of writers, and still quite new and relevant, White Gods Black Demons because I love the dry sardonic humour of the first few pages, and Chioniso and Other Stories because I remember Shimmer of old, that big man with a deep voice and a kind heart whose first book Dew in the Morning was among my first forays into Zimbabwean literature.
In fact, I feel so proud of myself for finishing off my shopping at one go that I treat myself to a copy of Valerie Tagwira’s The Uncertainty of Hope. I love stories about women being strong together, so I’m sure to finish reading this novel before the end of my return flight. Then I’ll share it with my book club and give those overseas friends of mine a taste of the Zimbabwean spirit.
I may not have bought for everyone, but I have a range of titles in my suitcase that will carry a little of Zimbabwe with me, and give my friends and family exiled but aching for home, a sense of the complex realities that are a part of our beautiful but troubled country.
And with such a fantastic solution to my shopping challenge, I’ll have room in my suitcase for a jar of homemade peanut butter.
Wonderful post! We will be linking to this great article on our website.
Keep up the great writing.
I think other site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and excellent user genial style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I haven’t checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I am glad that I noticed this website, precisely the right info that I was looking for! .
tadalafil max dose: http://tadalafilonline20.com/ 40 mg tadalafil
Of course, what a great website and illuminating posts, I will bookmark your blog.All the Best!
Terrific paintings! That is the kind of information that should be shared across the web. Shame on Google for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and consult with my website . Thank you =)
tadalafil 40 tadalafil 60 mg for sale
generic tadalafil united states
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a good example of it.
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
As a Newbie, I am continuously browsing online for articles that can aid me. Thank you
generic pills prescription drugs online without doctor
meds online without doctor prescription: https://genericwdp.com/ drugs without doctor script
I have been checking out some of your stories and i can state nice stuff. I will definitely bookmark your blog.
You are my inhalation, I possess few web logs and infrequently run out from to post .
There are actually a number of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice level to deliver up. I supply the ideas above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up where a very powerful thing will likely be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around issues like that, but I’m certain that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Each boys and girls really feel the influence of only a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
I do agree with all of the concepts you have presented in your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very quick for newbies. Could you please extend them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
medications without a doctor’s prescription: https://genericwdp.com/ generic drugs without doctor’s prescription
generic pills: https://genericwdp.com/ buy prescription drugs online without
Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and brilliant design and style.
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
Hello. fantastic job. I did not anticipate this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!
buy prescription drugs online without: https://genericwdp.com/ generic drugs without doctor’s prescription
Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people.
Very clear internet site, regards for this post.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
My husband and i felt glad Jordan could carry out his investigation with the ideas he made using your site. It’s not at all simplistic to simply continually be making a gift of ideas which usually some people have been making money from. We discover we’ve got the writer to be grateful to for that. Most of the illustrations you’ve made, the easy website menu, the relationships you give support to promote – it is all sensational, and it is aiding our son in addition to us reason why this topic is satisfying, which is unbelievably vital. Thank you for the whole lot!
best over the counter viagra viagra amazon
п»їviagra pills
This actually answered my drawback, thanks!
buy generic 100mg viagra online buy real viagra online
order viagra online
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based upon on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
Wohh precisely what I was searching for, regards for putting up.
I was studying some of your content on this internet site and I conceive this site is rattling instructive! Continue putting up.
You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
viagra without a doctor prescription usa order viagra online
viagra cost
Lovely website! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also.
viagra without a doctor prescription how much is viagra
viagra online usa
Very interesting topic, thank you for putting up.
It’s in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, awesome site!
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be really appreciated!
I have learn several excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you place to create one of these magnificent informative website.
how much is viagra how much is viagra
100mg viagra
buy viagra online usa viagra discount
buy generic 100mg viagra online
Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people.
I’d need to check with you here. Which is not one thing I often do! I enjoy reading a publish that can make individuals think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to comment!
Some truly interesting info , well written and generally user pleasant.
I was just looking for this information for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative sites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.
hello there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this website, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again soon..
Thanks for any other informative web site. The place else may I am getting that type of info written in such an ideal means? I’ve a project that I am simply now running on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such info.
Its such as you read my mind! You appear to understand so much about this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something. I think that you simply can do with a few p.c. to power the message house a little bit, however instead of that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
diflucan 100mg how to get diflucan over the counter
buy ed pills
zithromax for sale online zithromax buy
Hello. impressive job. I did not imagine this. This is a excellent story. Thanks!
very nice put up, i actually love this website, keep on it
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Some really nice stuff on this web site, I like it.
I gotta bookmark this web site it seems extremely helpful invaluable
order minocin online: bactrim for sale
buy minocycline online
biaxin for sale: buy cefixime online
flagyl online
reputable online pharmacies in india: overseas pharmacies shipping to usa overseas pharmacies shipping to usa
online indian pharmacies: prescriptions from india all generic meds from india
india pharmacy: india pharmacy mail order reputable online pharmacies in india
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Good write-up, I¦m regular visitor of one¦s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
top erectile dysfunction pills: best erectile dysfunction pills review cialis pills online
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?
Thank you for some other excellent article. Where else may anybody get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the look for such information.
Hey, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
canadian pharmacy viagra buying viagra online without prescription buying viagra online without prescription
You have brought up a very great points, regards for the post.
viagra without a doctor prescription buy viagra online without prescription viagra online without prescription
Fantastic website. Lots of helpful info here. I¦m sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your sweat!
Hi! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading through your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects? Thanks for your time!
https://amoxilst.com/# amoxicillin 500mg prescription
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
https://doxycyclinest.com/# doxycycline 100mg price
It is in reality a great and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
http://doxycyclinest.com/# buy doxycycline online 270 tabs
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful information particularly the remaining phase 🙂 I maintain such info a lot. I used to be looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
http://amoxilst.com/# amoxicillin without prescription
I have been checking out a few of your stories and i can state pretty clever stuff. I will definitely bookmark your website.
http://clomidst.com/# clomid treats
You made some respectable points there. I appeared on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will go together with together with your website.
https://clomidst.com/# generic clomiphene
I am glad for writing to let you understand what a notable experience my cousin’s daughter experienced checking your site. She even learned so many details, with the inclusion of what it is like to have a very effective teaching style to make the rest without hassle learn about a variety of advanced matters. You actually exceeded readers’ expectations. Many thanks for presenting such valuable, healthy, informative and in addition fun guidance on this topic to Tanya.
paxil for bipolar: paxil generic – 20 mg paxil