Rating: 
Summary: A new perspective, but could be improved
Review: "When Rain Clouds Gather" follows an African refugee named Makhaya across the border from South Africa into Botswana. He settles in the village of Golema Mmidi, where he starts life anew. Makhaya meets and Englishman by the name of Gilbert Balfour, who Makhaya joins to help ameliorate the life of the villagers.
The book concentrates mainly on the agricultural aspects of this rural African life. This subject was quite irksome at times, including several pages devoted to the subject of the grain millet. Those pages provided a very relevant point regarding the fact that many Africans wouldn't eat millet, because it was eaten by "lesser" tribes, even though it was a much tougher crop than what they were growing at the time. The author Bessie Head also provided a different perspective from the normal American viewpoint on political and social relations in this southern African country.
Notwithstanding the good description on life in a different part of the world, this book was quite platitudinous in nature. The writing lacked originality and style, which may discourage a reader. Admittedly, there may not have been any kind of action in rural Africa, but the plot line of this book went at a lethargic pace. Many of its subplots died off into nothingness, not to be mentioned again. For example, the political advisor to the chief of Golema Mmidi was mentioned a few times in the beginning of the book, giving the impression that he would play an important role later on. But partway through the story, he departs to a different part of the country, never to return. The book also lacked a definitive ending. Generally speaking, "When Rain Clouds Gather" offers a good view into bucolic Africa. However, this fresh perspective does not make up for the lack of plot.
Rating:
Summary: A new perspective, but could be improved
Review: "When Rain Clouds Gather" follows an African refugee named Makhaya across the border from South Africa into Botswana. He settles in the village of Golema Mmidi, where he starts life anew. Makhaya meets and Englishman by the name of Gilbert Balfour, who Makhaya joins to help ameliorate the life of the villagers.
The book concentrates mainly on the agricultural aspects of this rural African life. This subject was quite irksome at times, including several pages devoted to the subject of the grain millet. Those pages provided a very relevant point regarding the fact that many Africans wouldn't eat millet, because it was eaten by "lesser" tribes, even though it was a much tougher crop than what they were growing at the time. The author Bessie Head also provided a different perspective from the normal American viewpoint on political and social relations in this southern African country.
Notwithstanding the good description on life in a different part of the world, this book was quite platitudinous in nature. The writing lacked originality and style, which may discourage a reader. Admittedly, there may not have been any kind of action in rural Africa, but the plot line of this book went at a lethargic pace. Many of its subplots died off into nothingness, not to be mentioned again. For example, the political advisor to the chief of Golema Mmidi was mentioned a few times in the beginning of the book, giving the impression that he would play an important role later on. But partway through the story, he departs to a different part of the country, never to return. The book also lacked a definitive ending. Generally speaking, "When Rain Clouds Gather" offers a good view into bucolic Africa. However, this fresh perspective does not make up for the lack of plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Political Menaing of Private Lives
Review: "When Rain Clouds Gather" plot set is in Botswana in the 1960s, a country ridden with poverty and "primitive" agriculture, that is going through a process of independence from Britain. As a mirror view, we have independent South Africa - racist, violent and oppressive to the black population. After serving time in prison, Fleeing the violence and oppression of South Africa in the mid-1960s, Makhaya crosses the border into Botswana. Here he finds himself in a poverty-stricken rural village - He moves to a rural town named Golema Mmidi ("to grow crops") and finds it populated with people who, like himself, are seeking a better life. Golama Mmidi is a place very different from his native Johannesburg. It is a time of great change for Botswana, as the country approaches independence. Along with an idealistic English agriculturist, Balfour, Makhaya becomes involved in the villagers' struggle to adopt new agricultural techniques. In doing so, the community must overcome rigid customs, a corrupt local chief, and the unrelenting climate. Makhaya must struggle too against the bitterness and hatred within him that are a legacy of his life in South Africa. This book has several layers of interesting political meanings. The plot of the book is not "political" per-se - the story is about the private lives of a private person, who happens to be a political activist and a political exile. Moreover, it is strongly affected by Bessie Head's private life: Bessie Head was born in South Africa in 1937, the result of an 'illicit' union between a black man and a white woman. Her life was a traumatic one, and she drew heavily upon her own experiences for her novels. Unsuccessful marriage and her involvement in the trial of a friend led her to apply for a teaching post in Botswana, where she took up permanent exile. She greatly resisted attempts to categorize her writing as "African" or "feminist". Her work is highly individualized, rather than political, and defies this type of classification as a result. On the other hand, we can't avoid the political. This book deals with several political issues. First, and foremost, Apartheid. The apartheid system in South Africa is firmly in place. It is a massive system of legalized segregation, repression, and domination by the white minority--first British and then later Afrikaaner. Long before the system was enacted formally - following the 1948 elections with the passage by the new Afrikaner government of increasingly restrictive and repressive legislation - the Blacks (and other "coloured" people) suffered unofficial discrimination. During the early 1960s, opposition against Apartheid among Blacks and few Whites begins to show its first buds. The political activity of the opposition parties (Mandela's African National Congress and the Pan-African Congress) was banned in 1961. After political activism failed, the ANC formed a military wing to begin armed resistance. Two years later, Mandela was imprisoned. He was not released for 28 years (Mandela was later the first president of the new, post-Apartheid, South Africa). Violence drew more repression, that drew more resistance. Several events were specifically notable (the Sharpeville massacre, 1960; the Soweto uprisings in 1976). This is this novel's South Africa. Another political issue is post-colonial Botswana. Botswana became independent in 1966 in a relatively peaceful way (compared to its neighbours, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, or northern Kenya) . Botswana was less changed by colonialism, mostly because it had fewer White settlers. The stakes for the whites were not so high, therefore, and the governing system had not been so disruptive as in other colonies. Head is writing a period of transition, just before independence. There's an internal debate over whom should take power in the post-colonial period, and what kind of system should be adopted. The rivals are a conservative government (which eventually won the elections) and a Pan Africanist, socialist movement. A third political power, is of course, the traditional power. It is interesting to note, in this context, that weak and poor Botswana had been democratic throughout all of it's independence, since the mid-60, unlike most other African countries and especially neighbouring, strong, South Africa. The people of Golema Mmidi seem determined to build their own kind of community--to shape their own politics--free from tribal, national, or international forces. However, other issues this book deals with are the status of women in Africa, tradition and religion vs. change and change in political power - from chiefdom (that protects from above like the colonial power) to independence (in mind, but also in government). I highly recommend this novel, to learn about a period.
Rating: 
Summary: A compelling look at life in rural Botswana
Review: "When Rain Clouds Gather," the novel by Bessie Head, tells the story of a black South African refugee named Makhayo. He crosses the border into Botswana and becomes part of the village of Golema Mundi, whose members are experimenting with new agricultural methods under the tutelage of a white Englishman named Gilbert Balfour. Makhaya quickly becomes entwined in the political and social lives of Gilbert and the villagers. This book offers a fascinating look at rural African life. Head's topics include social and political change, conflict between science and traditional ways, tribalism, the role of traditional African chiefs, religion, race relations, and male-female relations. Overall, a compelling story. The author bio at the beginning of the book notes that Head was herself born in South Africa and eventually was granted Botswanan citizenship. For a good companion text to this novel, try "the Villagers," by Jorge Icaza.
Rating:
Summary: A compelling look at life in rural Botswana
Review: "When Rain Clouds Gather," the novel by Bessie Head, tells the story of a black South African refugee named Makhayo. He crosses the border into Botswana and becomes part of the village of Golema Mundi, whose members are experimenting with new agricultural methods under the tutelage of a white Englishman named Gilbert Balfour. Makhaya quickly becomes entwined in the political and social lives of Gilbert and the villagers. This book offers a fascinating look at rural African life. Head's topics include social and political change, conflict between science and traditional ways, tribalism, the role of traditional African chiefs, religion, race relations, and male-female relations. Overall, a compelling story. The author bio at the beginning of the book notes that Head was herself born in South Africa and eventually was granted Botswanan citizenship. For a good companion text to this novel, try "the Villagers," by Jorge Icaza.
Rating:
Summary: rare portrayal of African village life
Review: A story about a black refugee from South Africa who finds a new home and the meaning of life in a small Botwana village. This book is a rare contemporary well-written portrayal of African village life, values, and impediments to progress.
Rating:
Summary: rare portrayal of African village life
Review: A story about a black refugee from South Africa who finds a new home and the meaning of life in a small Botwana village. This book is a rare contemporary well-written portrayal of African village life, values, and impediments to progress.
Rating:
Summary: An easy read with a good story line
Review: After reading When Rain Clouds Gather for an AP English class I realized more about myself. With the moral and ethical backrounds being so different from my own it was extremely interesting. Although very slow-moving at times, especially with all the talk about agriculture, it still had a heart-felt story. By reading this novel, it helped me to realize how religion and wealth have both enriched and spoiled our own lives.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Book
Review: I just finished reading When Rain Clouds Gather and found it absolutely delightful. It is a good portrait of one man and one village and takes you to a place you may not have known.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly written, random digressions, and very boring
Review: When Rain Clouds Gather has to be one of the most boring books I've ever read. The structure is way off as the author randomly describes different parts of the story that have long been forgotten or are irrelevant. Descriptions of characters, places, and background information occur way too often, sometimes taking up more than half of each chapter. The story also switches focus randomly and way too often with no transitions and characters pop up out of nowhere. Most of these characters have no relation to the main story and I feel that they were just added in to make the book longer (for some stupid reason). When Rain Clouds Gather is incredibly boring and I'm sorry to say that I would NOT recommend this book to ANYONE.
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