Cocktail Hour under the tree of forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller was a gorgeous book I read over a couple of days lying by the pool in Zimbabwe - as you do!

I chose the book (and scandalously read it on my iPad - but it was great to have lots of books to read on holiday and not worry about the weight issue) as it is set in what used to be called Rhodesia and what is now known as Zimbabwe and Zambia - two countries we were travelling through and I thought it would be interesting.

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness tells the story of the author's mother, Nicola Fuller. Nicola Fuller and her husband were a glamorous and optimistic couple and East Africa lay before them with the promise of all its perfect light, even as the British Empire in which they both believed waned. They had everything, including two golden children - a girl and a boy. However, life became increasingly difficult and they moved to Rhodesia to work as farm managers. The previous farm manager had committed suicide. His ghost appeared at the foot of their bed and seemed to be trying to warn them of something.


I haven't included the full description of the book here as I think it spoils some of the story. It is a lovely, funny, sad and tragic story of the author's parents life with all the associated trials and tribulations. The most interesting parts of the story, of course, are where they are in Africa and wars are impacting on their farming and family lives.


Although it was interesting from a historical perspective - there wasn't enough for me on the actual background of the countries and what was causing the wars and unrest. The family life and the mother's undisguised slight madness provided a very entertaining read - it is amazing what some families can go through and still get up every day and get on with life. 


It was an easy read but not a brilliant one. It made me think that all of us could write about our family histories - if we just put our mind to it...