Heavens May Fall

by Unity Dow

This legal thriller offers an insider's perspective on the triumphs and failures of the law. After taking up the case of an assaulted teenager, an up-and-coming lawyer must face manipulative opponents and an unreliable judge to fight for what she believes is right. An uncompromising exposé on the ways in which the law can sometimes fail, this novel acts as a homage to the sights and sounds of everyday life in Botswana.

Genres: Botswana, Africa, Contemporary, Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2007

Reviews

[Carolien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naledi Chaba is a feisty lawyer at a non-governmental organisation that assists children in need in Mochudi, Botswana. The story unfolds through some of the clients that Naledi encounters as well as her description of her life in the town. The main focus is on a case of rape of young girl and the legal concept of 'audi alteram partem' which means 'hear the other side'. The book highlights many of the conflicts that prevail in modern Africa between traditional and modern practices and beliefs.

I enjoyed the story very much, but I have an interest in the law which may not be everybody's taste. The author was the first female high court judge in Botswana and is the current Minister of Education. Her love for the law, children and appreciation for the complexity of modern Africa shines through the book.

[Warwick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clunky. Very clunky. Has a few interesting insights into modern Botswana society, but the prose is not much of a pleasure.

[Anna Ruth FL · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sometimes disjointed with stories that are interjected and then not carried through with an ending (Mary Wilson) but that is part of what I liked about it because It reads like real life. I feel like I learned a lot about Botswana in this book and I loved the main character and her cousin.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unity Dow writes such interesting novels of African life. Naledi is a high-powered lawyer who works for a children's agency. She represents a 15 year old girl who is raped by an older lodger. She discovers that the judge who is due to hear the case has been involved in a scandal in the past. This is such an easy novel to read, but is so full of poignant stories from Africa. Dow obviously writes from her experience as Botswana's first female High Court judge - so many stories of rape, violence, child abuse and dispute, which sounds too depressing to make an enjoyable novel, but written with such a light touch and so much love and humour.

[Carey]

Easy read. No challenges and relatively predictable but quick and enjoyable

[Sharde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall pretty good, easy read. I didn't like how the book ended.