Most of the African literature I've read has been post-colonial; this was quite a change. The white African family, who had spent a couple years in England, returned to then Rhodesia so the father could fight to keep one African country white ruled.

The memoir is told mostly from the child's perspective, observations without judgment. For example, the child observes the difference between the lushness of the colonists' area and the barrenness of the Tribal Trust Lands. Fuller mentions in an afterword that she had taken her education for granted until she realized how suppressed education was for the black children. On first reading, I didn't see the change in attitude that she describes. I saw one incident of awareness, but not an over arching attitude change. Something to look for in a second reading. Also Fuller has written a second book where it may be more apparent (I'll have to get the exact title: Cocktails and...).

Although the war for independence was going on, it is in the background. Curfew is mentioned, as is fear of terrorists. Once the war was lost and land redistributed, the family moved to Malawi for three years. Then to Zambia where they stayed.

The land, the animals, the insects are all described well. One can see the appeal of Africa to this third generation family (the mother had lived all but three years of her life in Africa). One can see how colonists can begin to feel a land is their land.