When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head

 

Summary (from the publisher): The poverty-stricken village of Golema Mmidi, in the heart of rural Botswana, offers a haven to the exiles gathered there. Makhaya, a political refugee from South Africa, becomes involved with an English agricultural expert and the villagers as they struggle to upgrade their traditional farming methods with modern techniques. The pressures of tradition, the opposition of the local chief, and, above all, the harsh climate threaten to bring tragedy to the community, but strangely, there remains a hope for the future.

Review:  At first, this novel seems slow, but it builds into such a beautiful depiction of a village jointly struggling and suffering through a severe drought. This feels like it follows the community, as its focus shifts around from different characters including the English agricultural expert, a political refugee, the local chief, and a widow with two children. The village is working to upgrade their traditional farming methods with more modern techniques, feeling the pressures of tradition and the opposition of the local chief. But above all, they all are mercy of the climate. 

I think one of my favorite aspects of this book is how understated it feels. On the page, there is little time spent reflecting on emotions or personal reactions to many of the events. And there is very little dialogue overall. Yet there are obviously deep wells of feeling and emotion behind the plot developments. This book had some incredibly triggering and difficult scenes to read. It is quietly moving. And yet, despite how many sad things happen in this book, it also felt incredibly hopeful. Everyone seems happy overall and striving and hopeful for a better tomorrow. 

I read this African classic as part of my 26 classics in 2026 but also for my 20th century female authors book club. I loved our book discussion of it in book club and how one fellow reader pointed out that unlike some stories we have read, all of these villagers are united in their collective suffering during the drought. They are one in being at the mercy of the climate and there was something unifying about that, despite how tragic it felt. 

Also, I was so pleased that I ended up reading this in September, which is in fact when the rain clouds gather! "They never had any calendars but when they looked towards the sky, they knew it was September, the month when the rain clouds gathered" (142). But beyond this surface meaning, the title also refers to the good inside all its characters: "You may see no rivers on the ground but we keep the rivers inside us. That is why all good things and all good people are called rain. Sometimes we see the rain clouds gather even though not a cloud appears in the sky. It is all in our heart" (165). 

Stars: 4