Scribbling the Cat

Thomas Wolfe's trusted axiom about not being able to go home again gets a compelling spin through the African veldt in Alexandra Fuller's Scribbling the Cat: Travels with an African Soldier. Fuller (Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood) journeys through modern Zambia, to battlefields in Zimbabwe and Mozambique with the scarred veteran of the Rhodesian Wars she identifies only as "K". Intrigued by the mysterious neighbour of her parent's Zambian fish farm and further enticed by her father's warning that "curiosity scribbled the cat" ("scribbling" is Afrikaans slang for "killing"), Fuller embarks on a journey that covers as much cratered psychic landscape as it does African bush country. Though she and "K" are both African by family roots rather than blood, she quickly discovers that 30 years of civil war have scarred them--and the indigenous peoples they encounter--in markedly different ways. "K" is a figure of monumental tragedy, a decent man torn by war-fuelled rage, a failed marriage and painful memories of an only son lost to tropical disease. His adopted Christianity offers him only partial absolution, and Fuller details his gut-wrenching confessions of quarter-century old atrocities with compassion and rare insight. Her prose liberally salted with a rich, melange of Afrikaans and local Shona slang, Fuller nonetheless struggles with a narrative whose turns are often unexpected, yet driven by humanity. There's a clear sense that the author's fitful journey into the past with "K" has opened as many wounds as it has healed, and spawned more questions than it has answered. It's that discomfort and frustration that often reinforces the honesty of her prose--and reinforces Thomas Wolfe's adage yet again. --Jerry McCulley, Amazon.com

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Good but.... - Rated
Her first book was quite fantastic. The second good, brilliant in parts but not throughout. She has chosen an extraordinarily difficult subject who is clearly a closed and introspective individual who, while reluctant to communicate and engage with Fuller, does have a fascinating life to recount. I somehow was left at the end of the book with many more questions than answers - although this might be Fuller's intent. The descriptions and stories are beautifully told as her ability to convey a passion for Africa in all its forms as well as repugnance for much of it make it a vivid and compelling read.

Another good, if uncomfortable, read by Fuller - Rated
In her first book, I really liked Fuller both as a "character" and an author. In this book, however, we see a more ruthless side to her character in her attempts to get under the skin of "K".

K is a, white, former soldier in the Rhodesian Independance War and the other conflicts that spilled over into neighbouring countries. It is K who first gave Fuller the premise for this book, and after a series of meetings at her parent's farm in Zambia, they undertook a trip across K's former battlefields in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This all starts out fairly predictably, although not in a bad way, with many harrowing recollections from both K and the author about the war and it's effects on them.

The analysis of the events that took place during the war, and their effects on them as people are the many focus of the book; however in the final third it starts to concentrate more on the present and the relationship between K and Fuller. This leads to a final showdown which puts the whole book, and Fuller's motives, into question.

That being said, however, it is a very interesting story which manages to combine a good story with a historically informative story.

A Highly recommended read, even if an, at times, uncomfortable one.

Heart of Darkness - Rated
Alexandra Fuller grew up in Rhodesia, a country that doesn't exist anymore. Her memoir "Don't Let's Go To the Dogs Tonight" was published a couple of years back, an honest, thoughtful story told in the easy flow of a natural writer. At the centre of that book was the description of her parents; hard-drinking and tough white farmers, leading what would be a life of hardship according to European standards, but luxury compared with what most people around them faced. It seemed striking how ready Fuller was to expose her family; it was, obviously, also what made it a compelling book.

In "Scribbling the Cat", it's once again this willingness to pin down the often unpalatable attitudes of her fellow white Africans without much moralising that turns it into an uncomfortable but honest read. On a visit back to Zambia, where her parents have washed up following Zimbabwe's independence, Fuller meets a veteran of that war, only referred to as K. Hiding his name seems to be a strange concession to anonymity, because Fuller exposes everything else about him; theirs is the vulnerable relationship between a person and his biographer, and Fuller writes compassionately but incisively about K's violent past.

However, she is much more reticent and protective of her own emotions and reactions. For example, is she infatuated by K, as some passages in the beginning hint? Or is she merely interested in his story? At no point does she indulge herself in lengthy condemnations of what K has done: she seems to accept that his guilt is hers as well, not as a white girl in Africa, but as a person, full stop. This is what we're all capable of, is the harsh message of the book; in certain circumstances, most men are capable of murder, of torturing women to death. Is that moral laxity? Or once again, is it just the truth? I have no answer myself, but I can't shake off the question.

The two of them end up journeying back to Mozambique in some vague quest for K to confront his demons. Fuller is an evocative writer, maybe sometimes a little bit too flowery, but always adept at recreating an atmosphere. This is a world she knows very well, but also one that she has left behind, so her eyes are both those of an insider and an observer... surely the perfect vantage point for a travel writer!

It's a pacey read, carrying the reader along effortlessly, but comes to a rather abrupt end. Their journey is interrupted. Suddenly they are home. Nothing has been really resolved, neither regarding the intriguing relationship between K and Fuller, or K and his past. Maybe that's another sign of Fuller's honesty? Or the clever make-do of a woman who grew up in Africa, and knows how to find a lot in a little?

Outstanding descriptions - Rated
I would highly recommend reading both "Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight" followed quickly by "Scribbling the Cat". That way you would be at home with Bobo - Alexandra Fuller - and her strange and quirky life, without trying to work out whether she was just downright brave or stupidly unaware. (Very, very brave) Also the setting is complicated it is worth looking up in an Atlas if you aren't familiar with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. As in the first book the accompanying photos are of poor quality and have a 'looking through Granny's album' feel although there are some very odd ones to get you in the mood. Anyway you won't find a picture of "K" as AF explains, she covers her tracks. This book is rich in atmosphere and the descriptions are beautiful. AF has a finely tuned ear for dialect and idiosyncratic expression. This sets the mood perfectly. "K" is barely controlled and rather frightening, you wonder if AF recognises the power of the embers that she is poking. I liked the way in which she points out that "It should not be physically possible to get from the banks of the Pepani River to Wyoming in less than two days, because mentally and emotionally it is impossible". This explains why wherever she is she feels "exiled by who I was". That was well put. Read this book alone for the wonderful descriptions of the lion Mambo and the introductions to the dogs she meets, the fishermen in the night and the kindness of the strangers that she meets. Cigarettes assume a whole new role as currency, inspect repellents, hunger suppressants and sedatives. Throughout the theme is of the soldiers' memories, erupting into their dreams, ghastly confessions of war crimes and efforts to put themselves right after all the horror are shaming to anyone who agrees and promotes war without considering the men that have to fight them. A most unusual, rich read with high educational value. I loved it.

beautiful, honest, sad, funny! - Rated
Well I got hooked after reading Let's Not Go The Dogs Tonight and I am glad I bought this book. Alexandra revisits Africa again and the brutal day to day existence is recounted with searing honesty and yet she manages to infuse some homour in it too. You feel as though you are there with her and you cant help fall in love with her. The magic in her story telling is she manages to come across as the vulnerable lost girl and you can't but help want to wrap her in your arms and protect her. You will laugh at her encounter with the mad white man and his pet lion and it just goes on and on. I can't wait for her next book!!!!!