An orphaned Masarwa girl goes to teach in the remote village of Dilepe in Botswana, where her own people are kept as slaves. Her presence polarizes a community which does not see Masarwa people as human, and condemns her to the lonely life of an outcast.

Bessie Head was born in South Africa but spent most of her life in Botswana. I'll be counting her as an author from Botswana for the Olympic Challenge.

I finished this book this morning, and enjoyed it very much. The ending was quite touching, and a bit of a surprise in some ways so I won't say any more about it.

I enjoyed some of the characters and the insights into them, although I also found some of the relationships a bit confusing or strange. I suspect there's a little cultural difference in the ways that we look at people and relationships. I enjoyed the opportunity to think about things differently.

I put this in the mail (media mail) on Thursday to another bookcrosser, as part of a virtual book box for sharing books about countries outside of North America and Europe.

I look forward to reading this book. Thanks again Hobbit!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending for a vbb (BookObsessed)

Arrived safely a few minutes ago. Looks interesting, I'm looking forward to reading it. Thank you, bartonz.

After a GR book club I belong to took up a version of the Olympic challenge, I remembered this little book about Botswana and decided to make it my weekend beach read. I liked it a lot more than I expected - the style is unusual and the story is at the same time funny and intense. Thanks everyone for sharing, making this available for new readers.