When Hoopoes Go To Heaven by Gaile Parkin (Corvus) ISBN: 9780857894090 - As in her previous book, Parkin writes with attention to detail and her descriptions appealed to my imagination. Underlying it all is a theme about the consequences of HIV/Aids in Swaziland.

Benedict, a young boy, has moved with his Tanzanian family to Swaziland.

He worries about the people around him, especially his mother Angel, who misses the previous posting in Rwanda, where she had a  cake business. Benedict comes up with a brilliant plan to help her.

The novel is written from his viewpoint and alternates with the voice of Mavis, the domestic help from Swaziland.

If you read Parkin’s previous book, the family is familiar, but this is not a sequel.

I battled slightly with Benedict’s voice, which is sometimes too wise for his age and sometimes too young, but overall it was a sweet story.

People who don’t know about African traditions will learn from this book. Others will recognise them and relate to the stories.

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