The government has cleaned up Harare for the Queen of England's visit. 'The townships are too full of people, they said, gather them up and put them in the places the Queen will not see.' Four waves of people have settled on Easterly Farm since then, living on the margins in homes that will soon be destroyed.
Among them is Martha Mupengo. She has lost her wits and gained a pregnancy. Who could be the baby's father, and what fate awaits mothers and children in this temporary, poverty-stricken town?
Bringing together past, present and future in our ninetieth year, Faber Stories is a celebratory compendium of collectable work.***
It was the children who first noticed that there was something different about the woman they called Martha Mupengo.
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(@FaberBooks, 3 January 2019, ebook, 22 pages, bought from @AmazonKindle)
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I enjoyed An Elegy for Easterly. So much happens across such a scant number of pages. The world and characters are brought to vivid life in a few strokes. Martha is an alluring character. Where did she come from? How is she pregnant? Is this divine or a hint at something darker. This is a compelling piece.
