Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir 
asked by james58 on November 28, 2006 12:01 AM
In 1997 foreign correspondent Neely Tucker and his wife, Vita, arrived in Zimbabwe. After witnessing the devastating consequences of AIDS and economic disaster on the country’s children, the couple started volunteering at an orphanage where a critically ill infant, abandoned in a field on the day she was born, was trusted to their care. Within weeks, Chipo, the baby girl whose name means “gift,” would come to mean everything to them. Their decision to adopt her, however, would challenge an unspoken social norm: that foreigners should never adopt Zimbabwean children. Against a background of war, terrorism, disease, and unbearable uncertainty about the future, Chipo’s true story emerges as an inspiring testament to the miracles that love—and dogged determination—can sometimes achieve.
Reviews
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Fabulous from the start. So much intermingles in this book - history, politics, personal struggle, life in Africa, bi-racial familes, adoption - that to narrow it down to a memoir wouldn't be doing it justice.
Following the writer as he pushes you through each page, you find yourself involved in the world through the eyes of this family. It's one of those books that you rush to get through and then you regret what you've done once you see there's only a few pages left.
When I find an author of this caliber, I stick with them. And Neely Tucker sure can write.
Following the writer as he pushes you through each page, you find yourself involved in the world through the eyes of this family. It's one of those books that you rush to get through and then you regret what you've done once you see there's only a few pages left.
When I find an author of this caliber, I stick with them. And Neely Tucker sure can write.
reviewed by skywalker on November 28, 2006 3:09 PM
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This memoir goes to show on how faith and love can conquer all odds. It has opened my eyes on the issue of AIDS and the politically unstable country of Zimbawiae. A very touching love story of father and daughter.
reviewed by redryder on November 29, 2006 2:11 AM
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In dealing with their personal frustrations, the author shows us the hurdles and challenges of wanting to help in nations that need it the most. It is a good read, heartwarming. But unlike most books, it left me in search of an organization that can break through and really offer help to children touched by AIDS.
reviewed by ctj on November 29, 2006 8:59 AM
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"By noon, the ants had found the girl-child."
From the first paragraph, this book had us hooked. Not only is it a great story, but very well written. My wife and I are in a similar situation, living in Africa and trying to adopt a child we've had for years, and the book seems pretty realistic to us. Of note, the author is neither cynical nor romantic about his family's experiences, and gives us a very good picture of the struggles of his heart as well as the external struggle for adoption.
From the first paragraph, this book had us hooked. Not only is it a great story, but very well written. My wife and I are in a similar situation, living in Africa and trying to adopt a child we've had for years, and the book seems pretty realistic to us. Of note, the author is neither cynical nor romantic about his family's experiences, and gives us a very good picture of the struggles of his heart as well as the external struggle for adoption.
reviewed by learner on November 29, 2006 3:30 PM
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A mixture of love and adventure fill the pages of Love in the Driest Season.
Neely Tucker, an American reporter, tells the story of how his family was formed. While based in Zimbabwe as a reporter he and his wife, Vita, take in an abandoned infant. Tucker tells the story of how he and Vita pursed adoption, facing insurmountable levels of bureaucracy, paperwork, and prejudice. Tucker seamlessly integrates this family-love story along with some modern history and politics of Africa.
Neely Tucker, an American reporter, tells the story of how his family was formed. While based in Zimbabwe as a reporter he and his wife, Vita, take in an abandoned infant. Tucker tells the story of how he and Vita pursed adoption, facing insurmountable levels of bureaucracy, paperwork, and prejudice. Tucker seamlessly integrates this family-love story along with some modern history and politics of Africa.
reviewed by scoobie on November 29, 2006 4:15 PM