Cry of the Fish Eagle

Peter Rimmer

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

Rhodesia and with it, Cry of the Fish Eagle, is one hell of a story: the African Bush, big game, pioneer farming, prospecting and the tragedy of civil war. This is the story of Rupert Pengelly who first heard the Cry of the Fish Eagle when he was stationed in Rhodesia for six months during the Second World War. As he was to find and as the saying goes, once you have heard the Cry of the Fish Eagle, you will always come back to Africa!

It is during that first six months, Rupert searches for Sasa, the orphaned daughter of his friend, Rigby Savage. Rupert was honouring a promise made to Rigby to care for Sasa if anything did happen to him. To complicate the search, Sasa's eccentric grandfather, Kobus Loubser, had taken the young orphan into the bush prospecting for emeralds. The search is unsuccessful and Rupert returns to the war, with intentions afterwards of farming the family estate in Cornwall. However a distant cousin, George Geake, conspires to cheat him out of his inheritance and Rupert loses his beloved home. His only option is to return to Rhodesia to begin a new life as a tobacco farmer and to continue his search for Sasa. Although their destinies are bound together, it is many years before Rupert and Sasa meet but meanwhile, Kobus acquires a business partner in Lewdly Jones, a remittance man, who develops a passion for Sasa.

The years pass and Rupert triumphs over adversity. But another war is looming. The irrepressible tide of Black Nationalism is sweeping through Africa and a new generation of men like Tererai Ndoro and Lovemore Ngwenya have joined the struggle for Zimbabwe. All their lives are about to change forever. But still, they are all enslaved by the Cry of the Fish Eagle.

Read this captivating story because in reading it you too will become enslaved by the Cry of the Fish Eagle, the country of Zimbabwe and its people.

Review by Molly Martin (310714) Rating (9/10)

Review by Molly Martin
Rating 9/10
Peter Rimmer’s Cry of the Fish Eagle begins in 1943 with Flying Officer, pilot, Rupert Pengelly shouting “For God’s sake, JUMP!”

Cry of the Fish Eagle presents a saga filled with the lives of numerous related families during the declining days of Rhodesia. At 324 pages, the work begins with a few characters, builds in scope and depth as the chronicle continues. The tale develops as Rupert Pengelly, WW2 war pilot first tries to fulfil a promise to a friend who did not live through the war, and then Rupert’s return to Cornwall where he plans to live in on the family estate is thwarted through chicanery. Rather than mope over his reversal of fortune, Pengelly moves forward to forge a life for himself, and does so with grace and aplomb.

The book is divided into 4 sections, Books 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Book one covers the years 1943 -1946. It is a time filled with war, realization that the family home in Cornwall is mortgaged to the hilt, and loss of friends. The loss of Rigby Savage and a promise made to him by Rupert will follow Rupert for the rest of his life.

Book two begins in 1952 with Sasa Savage just 17 when Rupert moves onto his farm in Southern Rhodesia. Rupert, aged 28, wanted to make good on a promise made to Rigby concerning his daughter Sasa. However, finding her was proving more difficult than he had anticipated.

Book three opens in 1964, introduces the reader to Piccadilly Brown among others, continues discussion of war in various theatres, and continues Rupert’s life, dreams and hopes.

Book four covers the span of 1972 -1979; guerrilla activity, terrorists wreak havoc, and Rupert’s promise to Rigby had been fulfilled. Life had been difficult, but worth it.

I enjoyed this book. The author's character development is admirable, dialog is realistic, and believable, the well-drawn story line is compelling, draws the reader into the work, and maintains a hold from opening lines to last paragraph. An excellent read for those interested in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe and the transitions time has wrought. A somewhat melancholy, sad country, the tale nevertheless manages to present the pathos of the time without resorting to maudlin. The history is something to be remembered and not swept away too quickly.

Interesting read. Highly Recommended.
Molly Martin (31st July 2014)