Sabi Star

Africa - captivating, charming, contradictory, confused - provides the setting of this story told alternately by two people; Sabi Stirling, a fifteen year old Zimbabwean girl, and Clare Boucher, a thirty seven year old American woman - but these words could also describe the two narrators.
Sabi is a delightful and irresistible character. Her life has always been difficult, but she manages to face up to and work through her difficulties with a mixture of naivety and courage.
Clare was born in Zimbabwe but moved to America as a child. She has come back to the country of her birth while she deals with the mess she has made of her life in the States.

The story begins with the death of Sabi's gogo. Sabi and Clare meet for the first time at the funeral, and Sabi feels an immediate connection with Clare. In the weeks that follow, when long hidden family secrets surface, she turns to Clare for comfort and clarification. Clare meanwhile, in trying to help Sabi through her problems, begins to have a clearer understanding of her own predicament and what she must do to improve her life.

Sabi is an engaging girl. She takes herself seriously, as teenagers often do, and yet at times she can be hilariously funny, making outrageous observations in the most unwitting and innocent way. Clare on the other hand is idealistic and analytical and confused. Through her character the reader will gain an interesting view of life in the present day Zimbabwe through the eyes of someone who has struggled to shake off the nostalgic longings of their youth.

Susan Hubert was born and lives in Zimbabwe. She read English and Psychology at the University of Natal, South Africa before teaching Mathematics to Advanced Level at high schools in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She stopped teaching in order to dedicate time to her son and support her husband in his efforts to retain their herd of cattle when the family farm was taken.