Waiting for the Rain

by Charles Mungoshi

The award-winning writer Charles Mungoshi is recognised in Africa, and internationally, as one of the continent's most powerful writers today. This early novel deals with the pain and dislocation of the clash of the old and new ways - the educated young man determined to go overseas, and the elders of the family believing his duty is to stay and head the family.

Genres: Zimbabwe, Africa, Fiction, African Literature, Literature, Southern Africa

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Charles Mungoshi was a Zimbabwean writer. His works included short stories and novels in both Shona and English. He also wrote poetry. He has a wide range, including anti-colonial writings and children's books. He wrote about post-colonial oppression as well. The awards he won included the Noma Award in 1992 and the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Africa Region) twice in the years 1988 and 1998. Two of his novels, one in Shona and the other in English, both published in 1975 won the International PEN Awards. He was married to an actress Jesesi Mungoshi.

Reviews

[Rumbidzai Chakacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

waiting for the rain is a beautiful book. it explores the nature of life itself in a unique kind of juxtaposition. its simplicity exudes a type of complexity not quite easy to explain. mungoshi speaks of how we all have felt at some point in our young lives. we want to leave home, we want to move out of the familiar zones in which familiarity has easily caused discomfort and a deeper yearning for more. he highlights, quite brightly, the ambitions of youth, the feeling of a parent's effort not being enough. the complexity of wanting to move on with one's youthful life while not really wanting to disappoint the fearful father and fragile mother who are ever protective of their offspring is explored in a manner that sings of melancholy. i loved and still love this book.

[Godfrey Penduka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Colonial Zimbabwe, Mungoshi gives an astounding glimpse of the cultural and religious situation prevailing then. A must read for all who are serious students of African way of life.

[Merb · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ 4.5 stars ~

[Kuszma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A család harmadszülöttje, Lucifer* visszatér a városból törzséhez, mielőtt átkelne az óceánon, ahol egy visszautasíthatatlan ajánlat várja holmi továbbtanulási lehetőség képében. Az afrikai prózáknál nem ritka hagyomány és modernitás összeütközésének alapképlete ez, de Mungoshi kilóra megvett magának azzal, hogy nem szimplán lemásol valamiféle idegen regényformát (mondjuk a szocreált), hanem egy igen eredeti, autentikus szerkesztéssel regényesíti problémáját, ami ugyan helyenként igencsak töredezett, de nagyon erős atmoszférával bír. Nem korlátozza magát a két értékvilág harcára, hanem felettébb faulkneri módon beleszövi a történetbe a rút családi titkok egész hálózatát az elsőszülöttségi problémáktól kezdve a lánygyermekek sanyarú sorsáig – és ez a szál, úgy látszik, nem csak az amerikai Mélydélnek, de Fekete Afrikának is jól áll. Ráadásul Mungoshi azt is elkerüli, hogy egyértelműen agitáljon egyik vagy másik oldal mellett. Lucifer például nem tudja kivívni az olvasói szimpátiát, mert motivációi – egyetlen rövid belső monológtól eltekintve – tulajdonképpen rejtve maradnak, viselkedése pedig valóban sértőnek tűnik a közösségre nézve, ugyanakkor maga a közösség is, bár első pillantásra igazán bűbájosnak tűnik (különösen a Nagy Öreg figurája), de ha jobban megkaparjuk őket, semmivel sem rendesebbek, mint Macbeth retyerutyája. Érzékletes, gazdag szöveg ez, ami finoman zongorázik az ellentéteken – az utóbbi idők talán legjobb afrikai regénye, ami a kezembe került.

* Nem ismerem a zimbabwei névadási szokásokat, de vagy az van, hogy azon a tájékon hajlamosak Lucifernek elnevezni a gyerekeket, vagy az írói névválasztás egy szimbólum, ami vagy a név „fényhozó” jelentéstartalmára épít, vagy a név gazdájának kitaszított voltára, vagy is-is.

[Charlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 STARS

Enjoyment-wise this was definitely a 1-star for me, but, somehow, I cannot bring myself to rate it only one star because I think there is merit in the depiction of village life and the family in this book. I just could not enjoy it one bit, I skim-read a lot of it and it was laborious to pick up and continue. (This is also why I did not write down any content warnings.)

Generally, not much happens in this book. We get to know a family, one of the sons returns home only to announce he is leaving the country and everyone has an opinion on that. I know this is deeply rooted in Zimbabwean history and probably does a good job at depicting village life and the conflict of traditional family values and a new generation with new ideas and hopes and dreams - as so often is the case.

I did like that we witness so many conversations amongst the family, especially during Lucifer's goodbye party, but at the same time the dialogues were exhausting to read for me...

Of course, as a student of literary studies, I can always find things that are fascinating and interesting in an academic context and this book is no exception. However, it did not appeal to my reading tastes outside of that at all and had it not been for class, I would have DNFed. But, alas, I have finally finished the book and can move on to the next books I have to read for university.

[Tawanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary work that brings to light many of the problems that faced (and still face) Zimbabweans in regards to traditions and culture.

Mungoshi is a wordsmith who weaves dream-like imagery with hard hitting reality.

[Sejal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to wait and let the story settle before I could even attempt to write two lines about this book. The context setting of colonialism and the shifting line of culture and history has been so beautifully depicted in this book that you might not even remember the context. As someone from a colonial history, I have heard how the lines shifted for us and I would hope that there might have been a family like this back home also struggling to accept new while holding on to the old. At times it was difficult to grasp the story and its depth but the book is so impactful that I this would again be one of those books that stay with me for a long time.

[Sireesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very strange book. As an introduction to Zimbabwean literature it's probably not a good example. Written during a particular time and of a time, it seems dated. That's not to say these issues about old ways vs wannabe modern young people doesn't exist. Rather that I imagine the Zimbabwe of now is very different. Then again, I don't know for sure not being Zimbabwean. It's a rather depressing story yet at times very moving. I can relate to the themes of family pressure to be both pioneer and still conform to old ways. Sad but true.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two months into my time in Zimbabwe and I read this and it transported me to a world I can so far only imagine yet I know exists. The place where rural traditions meet the imposition of white, western, urban ideas. He gives such believable, mystic power to the characters and cast as a whole and I loved dipping into this to see the story of the country from a perspective I have yet to be fully exposed to.

[Jack Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently visited Zimbabwe, this was all the more powerful and insightful. Portrays the life of a family in a rural village through shifting perspectives, with each character facing their own heartbreaking struggles. The family's dynamic offers a poignant exploration race, colonialism, and gender.

It builds in momentum and emotional intensity, culminating in a powerful leaving party for the eldest brother. The final passage is beautiful and heartrending in equal measure.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true zimbabwean

[Moyo Shepherd]

Very good book.Well written .

[Sebenzile K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read, especially to those who want a feel of life in rural Zimbabwe and how overseas education has disintegrated some families.

[Lloyd Chikambi]

Full book

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of all time.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Wachten op de regen beschrijft Mungoshi de strijd die de jeugd in Afrika leverde tussen de moderne, vaak blanke, wereld en het oude vertrouwde thuis, wat dan geen thuis meer is. Hij doet dit door het verhaal van Lucifer te vertellen, die nog éém keer langs huis gaat voor hij naar overzee vertrekt...

Persoonlijk is Afrikaanse literatuur niet mijn pakkie an, er wordt veel beschreven, mensen krijgen meerdere bijnamen en dat maakt het verhaal wat lastig te volgen. Los van deze schrijfstijl is het verhaal van Lucifer interessant. Hoe zoek je als kind een plek bij je ouders waar je eigenlijk niet meer thuis bent, iets waar elk kind mee te maken krijgt. Daarbij komt dan dat de moderne wereld riep voor deze jongeren. De worsteling van het gezin en de kinderen is duidelijk aanwezig in dit boek, en het lijkt ook in de andere boeken van Mungoshi. Maar wegens de schrijfstijl blijft de lezer buitenstaander van het verhaal, en wellicht blijft het als blanke nooit te begrijpen.

[Azu Rikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel that this book is an important testimony to its time and the change of Zimbabwean values of family, home, land and traditions during that time.
I enjoyed the dialogues best, especially the old man's talk to Garabha and the way Lucifer's farewell party was narrated through dialogue.
The characters and village life are vividly depicted.

[Mona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why but the last chapter made me feel incredibly emotional. Wonderful, wonderful book.

[Eng Mukora]

Guys can anyone help with me a copy of this book? I just want to read it again, will give it back.