Julius Chingono"s short stories and poems illuminate the everyday world of his native Zimbabwe: the buzzing townships, and the rural homestead. Depicting characters who face poverty, tragedy and violence with strength and courage, the author brings a ready humour to otherwise bleak situations, and a sharp eye to events and encounters in the country. Chingono"s acute awareness of the many absurdities of the society in which he lives ensure his place as a life-affirming chronicler of its development.