BEYOND TEARS

by Catherine Buckle

‘The whole town not only knew what happened here but had probably seen and heard parts of that day of hell. Some must have been witnesses and others accomplices to murder, torture and brutality. The wind, once my friend and comforter, had become my tormentor and persecutor. Coursing over the granite kopjes, the wind was filled with voices and secrets. The whole town was hiding a secret.’ ‘Beyond Tears’ is the story of events that ripped Zimbabwe apart between 2000 and 2002. Eyewitness accounts of anarchy, harassment, intimidation and the foulest abuse of citizens by their own government. "Catherine Buckle provides vivid testimony of the power and destruction inflicted on the country and its people." Martin Meredith author of 'Robert Power Plunder and Tyranny in Zimbabwe.'

Genres: Zimbabwe, Africa

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Babak Fakhamzadeh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buckle wrote a book, a couple of years ago, called African Tears: The Zimbabwe Land Invasions. Mostly, it's about the struggle for her farm in Zimbabwe in 2000, confiscated by government sponsored 'war veterans'. This book is a follow up.
After losing the battle for her own home, her marriage broke down and, together with her son, she moved into a house in a nearby village. After the publication of her book, more and more people having had similar experiences as Buckle came to her to tell their tale. 'Beyond Tears', mostly, contains, quite shocking, stories from Zimbabwe, from the last couple of years.

I didn't find the book enjoyable to read, however. Buckle's style is, at times, annoying, and occasionally reminded me of cheap romance novels; all events are 'shocking' and fill Buckle with 'sadness', 'dread', etc. I believe the book would have been better if she had taken a more fact-like approach.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Buckle's earlier book, African Tears - equally sad and discouraging but insightful story about the tragedy that has become Zimbabwe.