Dew in the Morning

by Shimmer Chinodya

A sharply-perceived evocation of changing life in rural Zimbabwe during the 1960s and 1970s.

Genres: African Literature, Zimbabwe, Africa, Fiction

218 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

born in Gweru in 1957 and was educated at Goromonzi High School and the University of Zimbabwe, where he studied literature and education. He gained an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa, USA, in 1985, a year after he had attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University.

He is the author of several books including Harvest of Thorns, for which he won the Commonwealth Writers Prize in 1990. His short story "Can We Talk", included in Can We Talk and Other Stories, was shortlisted for The Caine Prize for African Writing in 2000.

Other works by Shimmer Chinodya:
Dew in the Morning (1982) (Available in the AWS in 2001)
Farai's Girls (1984)
Child of War (published under the name of B. Chirasha) (1985).

Chinodya has worked extensively as a curriculm developer, materials designer, editor and screen writer. He has been awarded various fellowships abroad and from 1995 to 1997 was the Distinguished Visiting Professor in creative writing at St. Lawrence University, New York. He lives with his wife and family in Harare.

Reviews

[Oluwatosin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style is very good but the story itself is not exciting. In one short sentence - It bored me.

[Chema Caballero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una bonita aproximación a la vida rural de Zimbabue, en una comunidad que poco a poco va transformándose con la llegada de nuevas familias y con los cambios que trae consigo la modernidad. Shimmer Chinodya describe con sencillez la vida cotidiana de la aldea, las relaciones entre sus habitantes y el contraste cada vez más evidente entre el mundo rural y la ciudad.
En ese proceso de transformación ocupa un lugar importante el choque entre tradición y modernidad, especialmente visible en la convivencia —no siempre fácil— entre el cristianismo que va ganando terreno y unas creencias ancestrales que continúan marcando la forma de entender la vida, la comunidad y el mundo.
La novela resulta especialmente interesante como retrato de una sociedad rural sometida a profundos cambios y de unas formas de vida que empiezan a desaparecer. Sin embargo, más allá de esa capacidad para recrear un tiempo y un espacio concretos, la historia no termina de alcanzar demasiada profundidad ni deja una huella especialmente duradera. Una lectura agradable, sobre todo por el mundo que permite conocer, pero bastante más modesta en sus ambiciones y resultados que otras obras posteriores de Chinodya.

[Must Read Africa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a subtle tale of life in the village through the eyes of a young man named Godi whose family start a small farm. Godi matures to a world of school and work shaped by his parents vision to give him the best the new world has to offer. School prepares him for the future but the village prepares him for life...

[Ashley Ashy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to read

[Victoria Naa Takia Nunoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This subtle tale follows the changes of family life, people, and community; all of which evolve with the passing of time.

Dew In The Morning is a story that grows on you, has very interesting descriptions and is able to awaken a reader’s senses with a compelling imagery of rural living.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://maryokekereviews.blogspot.com....

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deeply moving tale.