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The Screaming of the Innocent
When a twelve-year-old girl goes missing near her village, the local police tell her mother and the villagers that she has been taken by a wild animal. Five years later, a young government employee finds a box containing evidence of human involvement in the affair.
215 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 12, 2018
Fascinating and well layered. Having to accept another cultures belief in witchcraft as a normal part of life was an interesting thing but once accepted didn’t detract from the story. I found the protagonist a little earnest and humourless but that humanised her somewhat.
January 6, 2019
Une enquête policière improvisée dans la brousse après avoir retrouvé de vieilles preuves.
Sur fond de brousse, de corruption et de magie noire, ce roman assez long à se mettre en place finit toutefois par devenir intéressant vers la fin.
Sur fond de brousse, de corruption et de magie noire, ce roman assez long à se mettre en place finit toutefois par devenir intéressant vers la fin.
September 11, 2017
Thought-provoking. I'm so glad I found this book through #readaroundtheworld (Botswana). The No 1 Ladies Detective series does the light, humorous side, but this is real life, the dark corruption, witchcraft & human rights abuses by government officials. Unity Dow is a high court judge who brings depth to the story but also great warmth & humour. I loved the feisty heroines especially Amantle. Uneven but an easy, engaging style & great sense of place.
August 1, 2022
In 1994, three men come together to plot a crime. Its victim is a young girl, about twelve years old. Some days later, after she is reported missing and an intensive search is carried out, the girl’s blood-soaked clothes are found. Shortly after, they disappear from the police station.
Five years later, in 1995, a government employee named Amantle, doing a (sort of) internship at a village clinic, is given the task of cleaning out the clinic’s old store room. There, Amantle discovers the long-ago box, containing the clothes of the girl who had been reported as having been mauled and eaten by lions. The village goes up in arms, demanding explanations from the police, the government, all those who covered up that crime…
For a while, it seemed to me as if The Screaming of the Innocent was going to be a whodunit. Though the criminals (and how creepily predatory they are) are named and described in the opening chapters of the book, it looked, in later chapters, as if the story was going to be about how Amantle and her friends unearth the truth.
But it isn’t. There is an air of mystery about it (and a surprising revelation at the end of the book), but this is primarily a book about crime and no punishment. It’s about corruption, the collusion between the police and the criminals, and the fear that prompts people to go with the tide. There are interesting insights into how deep superstition can run (even when one would expect that to be contrary to the actual ‘religion’ of an individual or a community). Botswana’s society, the place of women, the divide between the city and the village, the mutual suspicion between the government and the villagers… all of these come through vividly and forcibly in this novel.
The crime itself, though. Its description rattled me. It was gory and gruesome in the extreme, and I kept thinking about it long after I’d finished reading the book.
Five years later, in 1995, a government employee named Amantle, doing a (sort of) internship at a village clinic, is given the task of cleaning out the clinic’s old store room. There, Amantle discovers the long-ago box, containing the clothes of the girl who had been reported as having been mauled and eaten by lions. The village goes up in arms, demanding explanations from the police, the government, all those who covered up that crime…
For a while, it seemed to me as if The Screaming of the Innocent was going to be a whodunit. Though the criminals (and how creepily predatory they are) are named and described in the opening chapters of the book, it looked, in later chapters, as if the story was going to be about how Amantle and her friends unearth the truth.
But it isn’t. There is an air of mystery about it (and a surprising revelation at the end of the book), but this is primarily a book about crime and no punishment. It’s about corruption, the collusion between the police and the criminals, and the fear that prompts people to go with the tide. There are interesting insights into how deep superstition can run (even when one would expect that to be contrary to the actual ‘religion’ of an individual or a community). Botswana’s society, the place of women, the divide between the city and the village, the mutual suspicion between the government and the villagers… all of these come through vividly and forcibly in this novel.
The crime itself, though. Its description rattled me. It was gory and gruesome in the extreme, and I kept thinking about it long after I’d finished reading the book.
March 16, 2020
Väldigt skakad och berörd av avsnitt ur den här boken! Den handlar om hur Amantle och tre andra modiga och tuffa unga kvinnor löser ett fall där en flicka varit försvunnen under fem år utan att någon ordentlig utredning gjorts. Amantle hittar av en händelse en låda med blodiga kläder och det visar sig vara flickans. Bevismaterialet har varit försvunnet sedan flickan försvann och byns folk är upprörda över hur polisen försökt dölja vad som hänt. Unity Dow är Botswanas första och enda kvinnliga domare i högsta domstolen och har arbetat som advokat inom mänskliga rättigheter. Och även en väldigt skicklig författare. Hon skriver på ett väldigt levande sätt som gör att jag dras med i den känsla hon vill förmedla - den kusliga känslan av hur män med makt kan utföra ohyggliga brott och samtidigt vara familjefäder och respektabla män med höga positioner i samhället men också befriande humor i hur huvudpersonerna i berättelsen framställs. Boken innehåller dråpliga beskrivningar av Botswanas kultur och dialogerna mellan personerna i berättelsen är befriande med sin humor. Dock tar inte berättelsen fart förrän 50 sidor in i boken och den har ett rätt abrupt slut. Därför får den inte det högsta betyget, just för att det hade varit bra om de olika avsnitten i boken var bättre ihopsatta. Enligt vad jag anser i alla fall.
I stället för att läsa Alexander McCall Smiths mysdeckare som utspelar sig i Botswana borde alla läsa Unity Dow!
I stället för att läsa Alexander McCall Smiths mysdeckare som utspelar sig i Botswana borde alla läsa Unity Dow!
December 28, 2019
4.5 stars
This was my read the world selection for Botswana.
Twelve year old Neo goes missing and when her bloodied clothes are located by a villager, it is suspected that she is a victim of a ritual killing. However the evidence disappears the next day and the authorities end up closing the case saying Neo had been taken by wild animals.
That is until five years later, when trainee nurse Amantle comes across a box containing the dead girl’s clothes which brings up a lot of unanswered questions and outrage from the villagers.
This was a fascinating read and I really enjoyed it. The addition of witchcraft and corruption into the story was pretty intriguing and the ending really threw me, as I was not expecting it at all.
The author creates a brilliant sense of place and I loved the camping scenes surrounded by wild animals! Also, not wanting to give spoilers, some of the scenes towards the end of the book were quite spooky and horrifying and the author captures the words to evoke these feelings perfectly.
Although a tad slow in places, this is a really good book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to read more books from African authors. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 from me!
This was my read the world selection for Botswana.
Twelve year old Neo goes missing and when her bloodied clothes are located by a villager, it is suspected that she is a victim of a ritual killing. However the evidence disappears the next day and the authorities end up closing the case saying Neo had been taken by wild animals.
That is until five years later, when trainee nurse Amantle comes across a box containing the dead girl’s clothes which brings up a lot of unanswered questions and outrage from the villagers.
This was a fascinating read and I really enjoyed it. The addition of witchcraft and corruption into the story was pretty intriguing and the ending really threw me, as I was not expecting it at all.
The author creates a brilliant sense of place and I loved the camping scenes surrounded by wild animals! Also, not wanting to give spoilers, some of the scenes towards the end of the book were quite spooky and horrifying and the author captures the words to evoke these feelings perfectly.
Although a tad slow in places, this is a really good book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to read more books from African authors. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 from me!
August 29, 2021
This is a mystery.
I don't know how I got here: I was looking for books by African authors to teach me something about Africa, and I ended up with a mystery set in Botswana, among the people, customs and culture. Unity Dow is a lawyer from Botswana, so she knows what she's writing about.
Story starts out painting 3 prominent characters before moving along to the (suspected) murder. By the time the death is brought in, I was so misdirected that I figured I was going to get a series of vignettes about different people in different places (physically as well as prominently).
Read it to learn about Botswana and her people.
I don't know how I got here: I was looking for books by African authors to teach me something about Africa, and I ended up with a mystery set in Botswana, among the people, customs and culture. Unity Dow is a lawyer from Botswana, so she knows what she's writing about.
Story starts out painting 3 prominent characters before moving along to the (suspected) murder. By the time the death is brought in, I was so misdirected that I figured I was going to get a series of vignettes about different people in different places (physically as well as prominently).
Read it to learn about Botswana and her people.
June 19, 2024
I am disappointed by The screaming of the Innocent, first of all because the main character: Amantle is not credible. She is a very young girl of 22 who stands up to everyone and is not afraid of anything.
The novel also takes a long time to start and the ending is much too quick and in between, there is little suspense.
Despite everything, it remains interesting for its descriptions of Botswana, the magnificent landscapes but also corruption, political instability and the weight of traditions and witchcraft. Despite everything, I prefer the feel good novels of Alexander McCall Smith to discover the country.
The novel also takes a long time to start and the ending is much too quick and in between, there is little suspense.
Despite everything, it remains interesting for its descriptions of Botswana, the magnificent landscapes but also corruption, political instability and the weight of traditions and witchcraft. Despite everything, I prefer the feel good novels of Alexander McCall Smith to discover the country.
April 5, 2025
3.5☆
This book reads like a murder- mystery.
The first twenty odd pages were slow, the writing a bit too insisting about the "good man" etc, but after that I enjoyed the writing and appreciated the story (which is sad and brutal).
And even though Amantle's behaviour was not very credible at the start, we came to know her past, which explained her behaviour in the present.
The author also discusses socio-political issues and ways of living in modern Botswana.
There are many humorous passages which made it easier to read this dark themed book.
This book reads like a murder- mystery.
The first twenty odd pages were slow, the writing a bit too insisting about the "good man" etc, but after that I enjoyed the writing and appreciated the story (which is sad and brutal).
And even though Amantle's behaviour was not very credible at the start, we came to know her past, which explained her behaviour in the present.
The author also discusses socio-political issues and ways of living in modern Botswana.
There are many humorous passages which made it easier to read this dark themed book.
May 16, 2018
Not your average detective novel. Based on a true case of ritual murder, this fictional account follows a trainee nurse as she uncovers evidence of a covered up ritual murder turned cold.
A theme one does not often come across, and very well executed.
Dow's variety in writing different characters makes them very real in their own way and adds flare to the novel.
At times creepy, at times comical, this book does a good job in urging you to keep turning the pages.
Really worth the read.
A theme one does not often come across, and very well executed.
Dow's variety in writing different characters makes them very real in their own way and adds flare to the novel.
At times creepy, at times comical, this book does a good job in urging you to keep turning the pages.
Really worth the read.
January 11, 2020
Couldn't put this book down. The feisty young women bucking the powerful system, managing the possible corruption, the brutal cultural superstitions, and in the backdrop of the amazing landscape and fauna of the Delta region made this a pure-page turner with a satisfying surprise ending. Well done by this groundbreaking High Court judge. Can't wait to immerse myself in an upcoming Botswana trip now!
August 28, 2021
It’s not a great novel - the change in focal point is more for the author’s convenience than for character building, many solutions are too neat and straightforward, the writing is correct but devoid of charm. It’s written better than Dow’s debut novel, though.
One thing this novel definitely does is to present certain important issues that the modern Botswana deals with. For that reason it’s worth a read, however uncomfortable that may be due to the subject matter.
One thing this novel definitely does is to present certain important issues that the modern Botswana deals with. For that reason it’s worth a read, however uncomfortable that may be due to the subject matter.
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October 15, 2021Botswana based:
-young public service employee finds a box of clothes from a ritual murder 5 years ago, police corruption, government corruption, connection of historical beliefs and traditions (witch doctors) and modern justice system
-accounts of nature and the beauty of the Botswana deserts next to the cruelty of men
-young public service employee finds a box of clothes from a ritual murder 5 years ago, police corruption, government corruption, connection of historical beliefs and traditions (witch doctors) and modern justice system
-accounts of nature and the beauty of the Botswana deserts next to the cruelty of men
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
This story broke my heart :( though it is fiction, I am sure it includes many real-life aspects of the life in Afrika in the late 90's. For a European person like myself, I have not been exposed to African reality other than what TV and movies show. Reading the book was a nice way to get a taste of what the real life is like in this continent.
August 14, 2018
le livre d'immersion choisi pour un voyage au Botswana. Meurtre rituel, village reculé dans la brousse, démocratie balbutiante, corruption, nature et animaux omniprésents. Un roman entre des scènes tendues et glaçantes et une enquête policière menée à la façon club des cinq. Vraiment marquant
June 2, 2025
The end - my heart! The story is not sugar-coated. The struggles are real. This exposes those who society says are powerful as weak and those who society deems weak as providing strength & hope for a community.
April 18, 2020
Mi è piaciuto molto per il tema trattato, solo che il finale mi ha lasciata secca! 😱
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September 12, 2020How can I access this book
June 22, 2024
One the most powerful denunciation of social injustice and human cruelty I have never read.
March 30, 2021
Predominantly set in a rural village in Botswana in 1999, The Screaming of the Innocent is a story of ritual murder and a cover up. Have to say I found the opening chapters very difficult to get through and uncomfortable to read. They are set in 1994 and follow the men who are watching young Neo and planning how they are going to take her. The description in those chapters is vivid as you get into the minds of deprived but powerful men, as they watch Neo, describing her young body in a sexual manner. It almost made me feel queasy and that was the most striking part of the book. Then there’s the five-year time jump, and it’s not till much later that you discover what exactly they did to Neo and again it’s in graphic detail.
The Screaming of the Innocent is a relatively short book (just over 200 pages) and I thought the way the story was told was interesting. From the beginning you know who the men are who took Neo, but you don’t know how they got away with it – was it corruption or incompetence. It’s a fight for justice as long-lost evidence is discovered and someone who wasn’t even in the same region when the girl was taken, is pulled into the village’s turmoil and becomes their spokesperson.
While The Screaming of the Innocent is told from multiple perspectives as different characters remember what happened after Neo’s disappearance all those years ago, Amantle could be called the main character in the present. She discovers the evidence and has no idea of the impact it’ll have on her life or those in the village she’s just arrived in. She is someone who wants to fight for what’s right and is very earnest. She has connections to lawyers through friends and she almost has a fake it till you make it in her quest for the village’s to find out the truth. It can be a little grating as she’s so serious and focused and doesn’t always seem to realise the potential consequences of her actions as she’s convinced her method is the best.
The scenes where Amantle and her lawyer friends discuss the case and theorise what might have happened to Neo and how and why the evidence ended up where it did for five years was one of the most interesting parts of the story. The Screaming of the Innocent doesn’t feel complete though as while Amantle gets the answers she seeks, there’s still the longer fight for justice still to come.
The Screaming of the Innocent is one of those crime/mystery stories where by the end of it you as the reader know the answers, and even some of the characters do, but that doesn’t mean they’re good answers or ones that give people closure or justice. It’s a bit frustrating really as personally I like my crime stories where everyone gets their comeuppance.
Still, The Screaming of the Innocent being set in the 90s and a place and culture so different to my own was interesting. I didn’t always like how it was written, it seemed very simplistic at times – especially after the impactful opening chapters – but the story was a compelling one.
The Screaming of the Innocent is a relatively short book (just over 200 pages) and I thought the way the story was told was interesting. From the beginning you know who the men are who took Neo, but you don’t know how they got away with it – was it corruption or incompetence. It’s a fight for justice as long-lost evidence is discovered and someone who wasn’t even in the same region when the girl was taken, is pulled into the village’s turmoil and becomes their spokesperson.
While The Screaming of the Innocent is told from multiple perspectives as different characters remember what happened after Neo’s disappearance all those years ago, Amantle could be called the main character in the present. She discovers the evidence and has no idea of the impact it’ll have on her life or those in the village she’s just arrived in. She is someone who wants to fight for what’s right and is very earnest. She has connections to lawyers through friends and she almost has a fake it till you make it in her quest for the village’s to find out the truth. It can be a little grating as she’s so serious and focused and doesn’t always seem to realise the potential consequences of her actions as she’s convinced her method is the best.
The scenes where Amantle and her lawyer friends discuss the case and theorise what might have happened to Neo and how and why the evidence ended up where it did for five years was one of the most interesting parts of the story. The Screaming of the Innocent doesn’t feel complete though as while Amantle gets the answers she seeks, there’s still the longer fight for justice still to come.
The Screaming of the Innocent is one of those crime/mystery stories where by the end of it you as the reader know the answers, and even some of the characters do, but that doesn’t mean they’re good answers or ones that give people closure or justice. It’s a bit frustrating really as personally I like my crime stories where everyone gets their comeuppance.
Still, The Screaming of the Innocent being set in the 90s and a place and culture so different to my own was interesting. I didn’t always like how it was written, it seemed very simplistic at times – especially after the impactful opening chapters – but the story was a compelling one.
August 17, 2017
This book is like an onion, the more you read the more layers you peel. As you peel you find a dirty dirty world of mutilation for muti and the ramifications of those actions on the people in that community and country. I especially admired the courage and strength of Amanhle. Of course what she found was beyond anything she'd imagined.
I recommend this book to everyone who loves reading. Not only does the author put you in the story, but you feel one with the characters. They stay with you. Their story is your story. I can never forget the horror of the girl watching her father taking, what look like a human body part, of our a black plastic bag in the middle of the night. That image remains with me.
A haunting story, that will truly be with you forever...
I recommend this book to everyone who loves reading. Not only does the author put you in the story, but you feel one with the characters. They stay with you. Their story is your story. I can never forget the horror of the girl watching her father taking, what look like a human body part, of our a black plastic bag in the middle of the night. That image remains with me.
A haunting story, that will truly be with you forever...
July 22, 2012
With the Author of this book being already one of favourite African women.Reading it was so unique that It made my unversity break way to good to let go.I personaly liked the African Setting it has, the characters and the storyline, although the end left me wishing for one last chapter,Unity Dow is really one of the Authors to look out for.
December 29, 2020
A simply written and a compelling tale. There is a slow (too slow at times?) unfolding of a heinous crime. It is an exposé, too, of yet another of the long list of patriarchal traditions that abuse women. Recommended.
November 29, 2014
Although somewhat amateurish in her prose, Unity Dow deserves a double thumbs up for this resoundingly realistic fiction.
June 23, 2017
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews