The Field of Bones

Part Ii

Moyo is a man in decline who can no longer ignore his own mortality. He lives in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwes premier tourist resort, and works as a receptionist in its grandest hotel, the Mosi-Oa-Tunya. Ordinarily, Moyo would prefer to keep his head down; however, his circumstances and bad luck conspire against him. Moyo becomes an accidental conservationist when he can no longer turn a blind eye to the hypocrisy of his employer. He begins to wonder if the general malaise that seems to beset his drought ravaged country is the product of his peoples neglect of traditional customs that have guided local communities through the centuries. Suddenly, seemingly unrelated events assume ominous significance. Moyos family is thrown into turmoil by the amorous adventures of his eldest son, Bekithemba. While the consequences of Bekithembas misadventures are entirely predictable, the same cannot be said for the capricious repercussions of a notorious crime committed in Moyos neighbourhood. Against his better judgment, and at a time when he is at his most vulnerable, Moyo becomes the unwilling champion of the local pariah, Thembi, who is accused of infanticide. Moyo reluctantly assumes the role of patron of lost causes. He soon discovers that if he is to avert disaster, he needs to reawaken the very best in his family, his friends, his neighbours and, most critically, himself.