Whites [Paperback]

Norman Rush (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1992

In this magnificent collection of stories, Rush produces indelible portraits of Euro-American ex-patriates at loose ends in the black African republic of Botswana. The author's characters are unforgettable, while their predicaments are funny, improbably logical, and almost affecting as Africa itself. "Powerful and original."--New York Times.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679738169
• ISBN-13: 978-0679738169
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #698,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perspective of a Former Peace Corps Volunteer, January 16, 2001

By 

Dr. Peter L. Glidden (West Chester, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whites (Paperback)

I served in the Peace Corps while Norm Rush was Co-Director of Peace Corps/ Botswana. Norm's book is an excellent protrayal of volunteers and other expatriates. Moreover, it is a terrific read. Although it is "fiction," I recognized all the characters as being "real." Nevertheless, although the book does ring true, it is not a complete portrayal of Peace Corps Volunteers and volunteers from other countries. What Norm doesn't decribe, probably because they are less interesting from a novelist's perspective, are the many volunteers who did their best to learn Setswana (the national language), who did their best to succeed in the culture, and who worked hard every day. Norm's book is excellent, and although fiction, it is an accurate protrayal of expat/ volunteer life, but it is not their whole story.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Stories of Expatriate Life, February 28, 2001

By 

A. Ross (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Whites (Paperback)

Rush is an American who lived in Botswana for a number of years, and these stories about expatriate life there bear the ring the authenticity that can only come from personal experience. The stories are slightly linked through shared characters, characters who find themselves changed by Botswana in sometimes surprising ways. Funny and tender, this book is an excellent window into living abroad.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whites, July 19, 2010

By 

Reader Jill (Schenectady, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whites (Paperback)

Superb short stories. Underneath a light touch, the writing is serious. The sentences flow with a studied grace. Humor is used in a wonderfully clever way to make the reader think about issues of importance. The specifically African background of the stories reflect the author's close familiarity with the scene based on his years living in Botswana. His prize-winning book, Mating, is more difficult to access though certainly worth the effort. However, if you are put off by it, do read Whites. Its a not-to-be missed collection of wonderful short stories.