When the Tree is Dry
A country explodes into violence
Three women's lives change forever
Chinja. Change.
In Zimbabwe, the word brings hope amidst hyperinflation, biting poverty and repression. But the ruling party is desperate to stay in power, and they are the only ones with guns.
In England, Claire Davison's life is shattered when her family falls apart. The only thing she has left is her burning ambition to succeed as a journalist, and Zimbabwe’s 2008 election gives her the perfect opportunity to prove her ability.
Florence Chidziro, hiding in Britain from a past that still terrifies her, vows to go home to Zimbabwe and campaign for the opposition party, who promise social reform and justice for the poor.
And in a remote village, Sekai Ndoro is threatened when her husband becomes a political activist.
The government unleashes a campaign of beating, burning, murder and rape. Hundreds of thousands of victims flee to the city, and Claire discovers that the fate of the refugees is more important than being a hot-shot reporter.
The three women attempt a daring rescue of a political figure who could tip the balance of power and change the destiny of a nation—or cost them their lives.
About This Book
The story and characters are fiction, but the historical background is real. In 2008, Genocide Watch warned that Zimbabwe's election violence had escalated to the point where it was one step away from full-scale genocide. Over two hundred thousand people were displaced, and at one time more than two thousand refugees hid in a five-story building, Harvest House.
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I was involved in a small way in collecting food, clothing and blankets for displaced people. This novel is a tribute to the real-life heroes who shared their stories with me, showed me their injuries and astounded me with their courage.
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