This short novel takes the reader into the remote village of Dilepe in Botswana, where racial prejudice is rife and people have difficulty accepting a young Masarwa – considered the lowest group of black people – into their midst.

She is Margaret Cadmore. Her mother died at childbirth leaving her to be raised by the English wife of a missionary, Margaret Cadmore, who didn’t bother to name the child. So they share a name.

The little girl has grown into a distinguished young lady who has just obtained a teacher’s diploma, and enters the village of Dilepe to start teaching at the primary school. At first everyone is taken by the dignified young woman, but as soon as they learn she is a Masarwa, all hell breaks loose as racial prejudice sets in and threatens to divide the society.

Maru is the future paramount chief, revered by all. He has a deep, lifelong friendship with Moleka. Both these men are notorious in the Dilepe village for their love affairs, and both men are immediately and acutely drawn to the young Margaret. And so we’re drawn into a love triangle of dramatic proportions.

This is a beautifully written book with many light, magical moments strewn throughout the text. This is one I recommend, but I've been told that her “When Rain Clouds Gather” is better. ( )

A young woman arrives in a Botswanan village to teach at the local school. She is a member of the Masarwa tribe, the lowest of the low as far as Black Botswanans are concerned, and her presence upsets the status quo and particularly the lives of the two men who fall in love with her.

On the back of the book Head is quoted as saying that she wanted to write 'an enduring novel of the hideousness of racial prejudice' and it is a refreshing change to be shown prejudice as a Black/Black, rather than a White/Black issue.

Unfortunately, for me this got lost as I didn't enjoy the book at all. If it had been any longer than 123 pages I don't think I would have finished it. The main problem was that three of the main characters fall in love with each other on sight, the kind of love that is immediately all encompassing. I just don't believe that. It doesn't matter the kind of story this appears in - Trollope, Tolstoy, whoever - it just seems totally unreal to me. Usually I can suspend my disbelief if the other parts of the story are interesting, but in Maru there isn't much more to the story. ( )

I read this book nearly twenty years ago and I still think of it. It strikes deeply, with its beauty and truthfulness. I am grateful still to the friend who forced me to read it way back when. ("You're always reading those white writers. Try reading this.") ( )

Maru is a story about the reaches of oppression within the village of Dilepe in Botswana. It is a fascinating story which examines how oppression and prejudice are maintained, and how they might be overcome. This is accomplished against the captivating backdrop of village life; scenes are depicted in such a way that the reader can imagine themselves in the story. Overall an excellent read that provides a rich view of life in Botswana. ( )