Far From Home by Na'ima B. Robert

Title: Far From Home

Author: Na'ima B. Robert

Release Date: May 22, 2012

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books

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Rating: ★★★★☆

Synopsis:

Will I ever see my home again? I do not know.

Will I ever see my father again? I do not know.

Will life ever be the same again? I do not know.

Katie and Tariro are worlds apart but their lives are linked by a terrible secret, gradually revealed in this compelling and dramatic story of two girls grappling with the complexities of adolescence, family and a painful colonial legacy.

14-year-old Tariro loves her ancestral home, the baobab tree she was born beneath, her loving family - and brave, handsome Nhamo. She couldn't be happier. But then the white settlers arrive, and everything changes - suddenly, violently, and tragically.

Twenty-five years later, 14-year-old Katie loves her doting father, her exclusive boarding school, and her farm with its baobab tree in rural Zimbabwe. Life is great. Until disaster strikes, and the family are forced to leave everything and escape to cold, rainy London.

Atmospheric, gripping and epic in scope, Far from Home brings the turbulent history of Zimbabwe to vivid, tangible life.

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My Review:

Another Na'ima B. Robert book that's been sitting unread on my shelf for years.

Actually, I was not even planning to buy it in the first place, but eleven years ago, while I was shopping for books on Amazon, it was my mom who added it to the cart. For some reason, she seemed attracted to the story and convinced me to get it. So I got it along with the other books. The year after, I started reading it, but then I put it to the side and forgot about it. I kept procrastinating on reading it for years.

I eventually picked it up again this year.

Far From Home is a historical fiction about the colonization in Zimbabwe. The story is told in the eyes of two girls, Katie and Tariro, who are worlds apart.

In Rhodesia, 1964, fourteen-year-old Tariro is happily living in her ancestral home with her loving family, and she loves the baobab tree she was born beneath. She is also in love with brave, handsome Nhamo.

But then the white settlers arrive and ruin everything - their lives change tragically.

Twenty-five years later, Zimbabwe, 2000, fourteen-year-old Katie lives with her family in a farm with its baobab tree in rural Zimbabwe. You will never guess who Katie's father is.

Life is great.

But then disaster strikes and the family is forced to leave everything behind and escape to London.

I rarely read historical fiction, but I really enjoyed this one. It was slow at times, but I think it was beautiful. I enjoyed learning about the history of Zimbabwe. I liked how Na'ima added a timeline in the end. She seems knowledgeable about this subject.

I loved the character of Tariro. She was a good kid. I think she was brave and determined, and I admired her for her willingness to be with someone during their good and bad times. The romance between her and Nhamo was sweet.

I didn't really love Katie as much as Tariro, but I felt sorry for her for being raised by such parents, and I rooted for her in the end when she finally stood up to her racist parents.

Overall, Far From Home was a beautiful book about finding freedom. It was nice and clean. Would recommend.