When Rain Clouds Gather (AWS African Writers Series) [Paperback]

Bessie Head (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0435909614 | ISBN-13: 978-0435909611 | Publication Date: June 5, 1995

The poverty-stricken village of Golema Mmidi, in the heart of rural Botswana, offers a haven to the exiles gathered there. Makhaya, a political refugee from South Africa, becomes involved with an English agricultural expert and the villagers as they struggle to upgrade their traditional farming methods with modern techniques. The pressures of tradition, the opposition of the local chief, and, above all, the harsh climate threaten to bring tragedy to the community, but strangely, there remains a hope for the future.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bessie Head, one of Africa's best known writers, was born in South Africa but spent much of her life in Botswana. She died tragically early, in 1986, leaving behind her a fine collection of literary works. Tales of Tenderness and Power was the first of her works to be published after her death, and another anthology, A Woman Alone, has also been published posthumously. Both these titles reinforce Bessie Head's literary achievements, already evident in her novels Maru, When Rain clouds Gather, The Cardinals, A Collector of Treasures, A Question of Power, and her historical account Serowe: Village of the Rain Wind, which are all available in the Heinemann African Writer Series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (June 5, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435909614
• ISBN-13: 978-0435909611
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > African

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling look at life in rural Botswana, December 31, 2002

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Rain Clouds Gather (AWS African Writers Series) (Paperback)

"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 good companion text to this novel, try "the Villagers," by Jorge Icaza.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an awesome story, January 17, 2000

By 

Margarite Nathe - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Rain Clouds Gather (AWS African Writers Series) (Paperback)

When Rain Clouds Gather is just a wonderful tale. I found myself unable to put it down simply because the narrative itself is fascinating. Perhaps this is because I was reading about a place I know very little about and a culture that is still a mystery to me. After reading it, I was left more curious about Bessie Head as a person than anything else and the place from whence she came. I would reccomend this book to anyone who is curious about a people unlike any other, described by a woman who's been there and lived inside the story.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An easy read with a good story line, September 6, 2000

By 

Jules (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Rain Clouds Gather (AWS African Writers Series) (Paperback)

After reading When Rain Clouds Gather for an AP English class I realized more about myself. With the moral and ethical backrounds being so different from my own it was extremely interesting. Although very slow-moving at times, especially with all the talk about agriculture, it still had a heart-felt story. By reading this novel, it helped me to realize how religion and wealth have both enriched and spoiled our own lives.