A review by msjoanna
Mukiwa: A White Boy In Africa by Peter Godwin
4.0
I read Mr. Godwin's two memoirs backwards -- I started with [b:When a Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa|2538189|When a Crocodile Eats the Sun A Memoir of Africa|Peter Godwin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255707395s/2538189.jpg|1201622], which tells of his later life, then moved on to this book. I really enjoyed reading Godwin's perspective on Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. He was born there and grew up in white-run Rhodesia. While his parents were fairly liberal for British settlers, Godwin nonetheless grew up in the segregated and racially divided colonial society and gives a clear presentation of the realities of that setting.
At the same time, Godwin expresses his frustration that a country that had so much potential fell into such ruin during civil war and transition from colonial rule to independence. Godwin had the opportunity to see the war up close as he served in the military, then as a lawyer defending certain prisoners accused of treason.
I found the description of Godwin's childhood a tad longer than necessary and it slowed my reading of this memoir. Once I got to his teen years and his military service, the story picked up and moved along more quickly.
At the same time, Godwin expresses his frustration that a country that had so much potential fell into such ruin during civil war and transition from colonial rule to independence. Godwin had the opportunity to see the war up close as he served in the military, then as a lawyer defending certain prisoners accused of treason.
I found the description of Godwin's childhood a tad longer than necessary and it slowed my reading of this memoir. Once I got to his teen years and his military service, the story picked up and moved along more quickly.