The Cry of the Go-Away Bird
  • Published: 15 February 2011
  • ISBN: 9781409041177
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304

The Cry of the Go-Away Bird

Formats & editions
EBook
15 Feb 2011
Paperback
15 Feb 2012
Buy from…
Amazon Apple Books Google Play Kobo Booktopia eBooks.com

A fresh and gripping debut about growing up in Zimbabwe during the recent years of violent change.

Elise loves the farm that is her home. There is always tea in the silver teapot, gin and tonics are served on the veranda and her days are spent listening to stories of spirits and charms told by her nanny, Beauty. As a young white girl growing up in Zimbabwe, her life is idyllic.

However, this dream-world of her childhood cannot last. As Elise gets older, her eyes are opened to the complexities of adult life, both through the arrival of her step-father, and through her growing understanding of the tensions in Zimbabwean society. As the privileged existence of the white farmers begins to crumble into anarchy and farm invasions begin, Elise is forced to confront difficult choices and the ancient unforgiving ghosts of the past.
  • Published: 15 February 2011
  • ISBN: 9781409041177
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 304
Categories:
Share…

About the author

Andrea Eames

Andrea Eames was born in 1985. She was brought up in Zimbabwe, where she attended a Jewish school for six years, a Hindu school for one, a Catholic convent school for two and a half, and then the American International School in Harare for two years. Andrea's family moved to New Zealand in 2002. Andrea has worked as a bookseller and editor and now lives in Austin, Texas with her husband. Her first novel, The Cry of the Go-Away Bird, was published in 2011 and was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Award.

Also by Andrea Eames

The White Shadow
See all

Praise for The Cry of the Go-Away Bird

A frank and unvarnished portrait of life behind the headlines, sharpened by details from the author's own Zimbabwean girlhood

Hephzibah Anderson, Daily Mail

A shocking backdrop if recent historical events, Andrea Eames has used a fresh, candid voice to create an intimate, sensitive and moving debut novel

Tina Jackson, Metro

Eames is a fluent and engaging writer and this debut novel signals real promise for her future

Susan Williams, Independent

In her debut novel, Andrea Eames captures brilliantly the atmosphere of corroding trust that pervades the Coopers' farm...Eames is a young writer with talent, whose novel tackles matters of substance

Aminatta Forna, Guardian

In this assured debut novel, Eames draws on her own interrupted childhood...to paint an authentic portrait of a nation on the edge

Emma Hagestadt, Independent

Reminiscent of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird

BBC World Service

The Cry of the Go-Away Bird clearly draws on her own experience... The atmosphere is reminiscent of Doris Lessing's The Grass is Singing

BBC Radio 4

The Cry of the Go-Away Bird is a promising debut novel, and Eames's own Zimbabwean childhood colours her writing with vivid descriptions of the earth, wildlife and Shona language

Syndicated Review across National Press

This is a touching and assured debut... Eames is definitely one to watch

Lesley McDowall, Scotsman