Catherine L. reviewed Casting with a Fragile Thread: A Story of Sisters and Africa on + 65 more book reviews
A wonderful read that contains the truth of Africa, its culture, weather, harshness and love of family that somehow makes it all work.
jjares reviewed Casting with a Fragile Thread: A Story of Sisters and Africa on + 3429 more book reviews
This is a story about the death of Wendy's beloved younger sister in Africa. After discussing the burial and its aftermath, the author goes back and recounts the early lives of the three girls in Zimbabwe. After divorcing their unstable and alcoholic mother, Wendy's dad married someone new. When Wendy's father died, Gail (the new wife) was left with 5 children to care for and no income (There were 3 daughters and the new couple had a daughter. A son was born soon after the father's death). There is a question if he committed suicide (using a vehicle). Gail could barely cope and she soon remarried.
There were only 200,000 whites in Rhodesia and 8 million blacks in the country. Even though there was a civil war going on, the only thing that seemed different to the girls was the fact that the white men were required to go into military service for 6 months. Because the blacks worked for the whites (house servants, restaurant workers, farm hands), Wendy hardly noticed them.
America, through Wendy's eyes, is an enjoyable adventure; looking at someone from another culture, looking at us. The first time Wendy met up with 'aerosol food' (aerosol whipped cream) was a hoot.
This is a well-written memoir about Wendy's maturation, from her beginnings in Africa through her growth, as she moved from one part of the world to another. When she returned to Africa later, her awareness of the uniqueness of each individual (black and white) was well-developed.
There were only 200,000 whites in Rhodesia and 8 million blacks in the country. Even though there was a civil war going on, the only thing that seemed different to the girls was the fact that the white men were required to go into military service for 6 months. Because the blacks worked for the whites (house servants, restaurant workers, farm hands), Wendy hardly noticed them.
America, through Wendy's eyes, is an enjoyable adventure; looking at someone from another culture, looking at us. The first time Wendy met up with 'aerosol food' (aerosol whipped cream) was a hoot.
This is a well-written memoir about Wendy's maturation, from her beginnings in Africa through her growth, as she moved from one part of the world to another. When she returned to Africa later, her awareness of the uniqueness of each individual (black and white) was well-developed.
