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Child Witch Kinshasa Kindle Edition

by Mike Ormsby (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 75 ratings
"If you liked The Poisonwood Bible, then Child Witch Kinshasa is for you." Mail & Guardian, Johannesburg

What if our best effort turns into our worst nightmare?

When a hardworking French priest in the Congo tells an agnostic British journalist, “God is just the best that we can be”, he unleashes a chain of dramatic events that will resonate from Kinshasa to Kingston-upon-Thames.

Rising to the ethical challenge, journalist Frank befriends twelve-year-old Dudu - a homeless Congolese boy accused of sorcery - and promises to help him return to his family.

But streetwise Dudu is nobody’s fool. Their unlikely partnership disintegrates with profound consequences for them both - and for Frank’s wife and kids waiting in London.

In this colourful and humorous travelogue, what you see is not what you get, but a little faith goes a long way.

The story continues in Child Witch London.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Child Witch
  2. Print length
    507 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    1 Dec. 2013
  6. File size
    1.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

Review

"Ormsby is a keen observer - Child Witch Kinshasa is fiction, but barely. The foreign development set certainly features, but it doesn't dominate. This is a book about the Congolese seen through the eyes of a young boy. If you liked The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, then Child Witch Kinshasa is for you." - Mail & Guardian, Johannesburg.

"Gives profound insights into three very different ways of life: the incomprehensible bureaucracy of international charity work; the difficulty of bringing up kids in the UK; and the life of a street kid in one of Africa's most screwed up nations. This tricky issue is handled deftly. The novel is peppered with Mike Ormsby's cynical Scouse humour and never gets boring." - Huffington Post

"The exotic sounds, smells and sights of the Congo bring Child Witch vividly to life. It's a compelling, often exciting, story built around strong characters in a world that makes readers question their own beliefs and motives." - Liverpool Echo

"Child Witch Kinshasa is about so-called child witches in Congo - as seen mainly by Frank Kean, a journalist who lands in a strange place and tries to discover its "secrets", to understand a completely different world. As I was reading this, absorbed, the second part of his novel was published - Child Witch London. The novel is a very interesting read, so I wanted more. " - Bookaholic.ro

"Excellent. Excellent. Follow Dudu, a Congolese boy accused of sorcery, who flees his village and is befriended by a former child soldier, on an adventure he could never have imagined. They cross paths with British journalist Frank, who is wondering how to make a difference in DRC. Frank saves the boys from a beating and sees his chance. I loved this funny, adventurous, and heartwarming book. Ormsby writes with humor, sensitivity and empathy, from personal experience. For any reader craving good fiction, more than simple entertainment. Highly recommended." - Tracy A. Fischer, Readers' Favorite

Book Description

What if our best effort turns into our worst nightmare?

When a hardworking French priest in the Congo tells an agnostic British journalist, “God is just the best that we can be”, he unleashes a chain of dramatic events that will resonate from Kinshasa to Kingston-upon-Thames.

Rising to the ethical challenge, journalist Frank befriends twelve-year-old Dudu - a homeless Congolese boy accused of sorcery - and promises to help him return to his family.

But streetwise Dudu is nobody’s fool. Their unlikely partnership disintegrates with profound consequences for them both - and for Frank’s wife and kids waiting in London.

In this colourful and humorous travelogue, what you see is not what you get, but a little faith goes a long way.

The story continues in Child Witch London.

"If you liked The Poisonwood Bible, then Child Witch Kinshasa is for you." (Mail & Guardian, Johannesburg)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00H2ABQMC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nicoaro Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 Dec. 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 507 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1479285129
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Child Witch
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 75 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Mike Ormsby

    Mike Ormsby

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    Best-selling British writer Mike Ormsby has lived in Transylvania for the last 500 years.

    His popular short story trilogy - ’Never Mind the Balkans, Here's Romania', ‘Never Mind the Vampires, Here’s Transylvania’, and ’Palincashire - Tales of Transylvania’ - prompted Bucharest’s literati to dub him ‘The British Caragiale', in a nod to Romania's beloved fin-de-siècle satirist.

    Mike’s two-volume tragicomic novel - ‘Child Witch Kinshasa' and 'Child Witch London' has received glowing reviews from the international development community.

    'Spinner the Winner' - his eco-themed children's book about a brave wind turbine - has been translated into French, German, Serbian, Spanish, Romanian, and used by international utility providers in CSR activities.

    His 2005 feature screenplay about HIV - 'Hey Mr DJ' - was filmed in Kigali and shown at Rwanda's first Hillywood Film Festival. His short script about Congolese street children - 'Enfants dits Sorciers' - was filmed in Kinshasa in 2002.

    A former BBC journalist/World Service trainer, Mike lives in a mountain village with his Romanian wife Angela Nicoara, five dogs, three cats, and the occasional bear.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Angela Nicoara

    Angela Nicoara

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    Angela Nicoara grew up in communist Romania, and has lived and worked in twenty countries around the world. A former broadcast journalist and media manager, she is based in the mountains of Transylvania with her favorite alien, five cats, two dogs, and the occasional bear.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
75 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's well-constructed storylines and refreshing writing style, while appreciating its meticulously researched content and enlightening approach to its subject matter. The book features intriguing characters and humor, with one customer noting how the narrative strands interweave towards a traumatic climax.

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13 customers mention ‘Story quality’13 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's well-constructed storylines and refreshing writing style, with one customer noting how the author expertly weaves two separate narratives.

"...lives, communities and on societies as a whole, and expertly weaves two separate narratives, lives and cultures together...." Read more

"...A wonderfully complex novel written in a cleverly relaxed style filled with drama, excitement, education and humour...." Read more

"...Beautifully written, this book is totally authentic...." Read more

"...not because this is a literary piece of genius but because it is a great story, well told with earnest and unpretentious humour and easy style...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and brilliant, appreciating its excitement, with one customer noting its exquisite observations.

"...Nonetheless, it is brilliant in the way it presents one of the most difficult and politically charged subjects in our world today - witchcraft..." Read more

"...complex novel written in a cleverly relaxed style filled with drama, excitement, education and humour...." Read more

"...can help people to learn about it in a way that is non-threatening, stimulating and enriching. Beautifully written, this book is totally authentic...." Read more

"A fabulous book, right from the first chapter - an intriguing subject matter in a country I know very little about...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Enlightened’10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enlightening and well-informed, noting that it is meticulously researched.

"...in the way it presents one of the most difficult and politically charged subjects in our world today - witchcraft accusations and persecutions..." Read more

"...written in a cleverly relaxed style filled with drama, excitement, education and humour...." Read more

"...The book is meticulously researched, and a blessing for those of us who want to read about and introduce others to, human rights issues...." Read more

"...The subject matter however is rare and important...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Character development’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the characters in the book, finding them intriguing.

"...I loved the refreshing way it was written, the honesty of the characters, the reality of their situation in a tricky environment...." Read more

"...Great characters, a great read and I would recommend anyone read this even if you don't know anything about child witches or the Congo because you..." Read more

"...an experienced story teller but in the telling he gave me some intriguing characters and the Congo, development issues, the UN et al, quite apart..." Read more

"...Strong characters, well constructed story lines and fantastic scene setting...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Humour’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book, with one noting that there is never a suggestion of condescension.

"...a cleverly relaxed style filled with drama, excitement, education and humour...." Read more

"...but because it is a great story, well told with earnest and unpretentious humour and easy style. The subject matter however is rare and important...." Read more

"...There was never a suggestion of condescension only a realistic presentation of convincing characters and credible situations...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Pacing’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one review noting how the strands interweave towards a traumatic climax.

"...It captures the trauma, survival, hope and desolation that WAP have on individual lives, communities and on societies as a whole, and expertly..." Read more

"...A wonderfully complex novel written in a cleverly relaxed style filled with drama, excitement, education and humour...." Read more

"...The strands interweave towards a traumatic climax - and that's only the beginning...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • A L Meincke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, brilliantly written - timely, informative and enlightening
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 September 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Mike Ormsby's book had me captivated. It is not a book to read just before bedtime, as the images evoked haunted my mind. Nonetheless, it is brilliant in the way it presents one of the most difficult and politically charged subjects in our world today - witchcraft accusations and persecutions (WAP).

    I have worked in the field of human and child rights at international policy levels for almost a decade, focusing in part on the issue of street children. Through this work, I came across the issue of child witchcraft accusations, initially in Nigeria - many children are on the street due to being accused of witchcraft by self-proclaimed pastors and subsequently have either run away or been pushed out of their communities. It quickly became obvious that this issue was not limited to just one country, but that witchcraft beliefs, accusations and persecutions still occur worldwide, including in 'developed' countries, and that it is much more prevalent that we might think.

    In order to help shed some much needed light on this issue and it's depth and breadth, the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN) was set up. Here we aim to share information, data and research, and support those working in the field of social work to recognise and respond to signs of WAP. Mike Ormsby's book is timely, informative and enlightening on this issue. It captures the trauma, survival, hope and desolation that WAP have on individual lives, communities and on societies as a whole, and expertly weaves two separate narratives, lives and cultures together. The book makes us question our own belief systems as well - who hasn't looked for 'signs' or read into an incident to explain or justify a particular situation? Which of us haven't been a little worried when a black cat crossed our path or chosen an alternative route instead of walking under a ladder? The book doesn't judge or justify, but it does show us that there is an innate human condition which looks to explain that which is out of our control. It also highlights what is (or is not) being done by international NGOs, UN agencies, and Governments to address the issue of WAP. The problem is not a lot and certainly not enough. There are no quick fixes for this issue, but nevertheless it must be addressed. WAP is the cause of large, but relatively unknown, human rights abuses worldwide. A concerted cross-sector approach, bringing together a wide variety of religions and beliefs, must be enacted. But first we must recognise and acknowledge the issue, it's causes and effects; Mike Ormsby's book helps us to do just that. I therefore can not recommend the book highly enough to anyone, and I hope it gets a large readership.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cracking Page Turner
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2018
    This book is a must for those that have spent time in DRC. You will recognise the Congo Mike writes about, good and bad. Don't be put off by the size of the book it's an absolute page turner. I loved the way at the end, Mike managed to make me think in a way I did not think possible. Can't wait to read Child Witch London.
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  • RayO
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 August 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant book - so much packed into it. Other reviews have told you about the subject and storyline so I wont repeat all of it - but you should know that what you get here is an insight into a culture that appears so far removed from our own and yet full of human frailty and emotion that we instantly identify with it. You understand what Dudu is going through even if the very idea of being accused of being witch is something we see as belonging to the Dark Ages, not the space ages. We follow his progress as he escapes the barbaric consequences of the false accusation and begins a journey to who knows where - a journey that is fraught with danger and takes Dudu into the full harshness of reality in post civil war DRC where superstition and danger lurk around every corner. He and his travel companion, a much harder and aware fellow who has been robbed of his innocence and trust and has learned to live off his wits as he searches for his brother. Their relationship is central to the desperate adventure.
    The background and context is provided by the story of Frank, a journalist working for a US NGO attempting to train journalists and make a real difference but being frustrated in the process by post war politics and people following agendas of their own. He becomes aware of the child witch superstition and the resulting abuse of innocent children and finds himself drawn to it.
    If all this wasn't enough we also get the backdrop of Frank's long suffering wife back in suburban UK struggling to run a family with an addition on the way whilst worrying about her absentee partner.
    A wonderfully complex novel written in a cleverly relaxed style filled with drama, excitement, education and humour. If like me you have never been to Africa, you will feel as though you have when you put the book down.
    Should be book of the year!
    Looking forward to reading the sequel.
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  • Hayley Crawshaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 February 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Mike has taken what is sadly still a taboo suject - children accused of witchraft in a country torn apart by civil war and the legacies of colonialism, and made it accessible to readers who might not previously have been aware of such goings on. It's not easy to read about what is essentially child abuse, but by injecting a dry humour into the book, from all involved, the story is one that will still grab you and pull you in, but not necessarily distress you to the point of inaction. When faced with such atrocities in reality, humour is an essential means of dealing with the experience, and Mike has captured this survival strategy perfectly.

    The book is meticulously researched, and a blessing for those of us who want to read about and introduce others to, human rights issues. It's so obviously a labour of love, and one that I felt I had to savour, not least because I don't want to wait too long before the second part is released! Please keep on writing Mike - the world needs books such as this!
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • tinkerbeal
    5.0 out of 5 stars a rock n roll ride in Kinshasha
    Reviewed in France on 23 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A very nice surprise! Well researched on a little known subject....and a realistic poke of fun at development aid workers...their motivations and hypocrisies. You might not adore the characters (they are not heroes) but you will find yourself all too soon at the end of the book ready for more.
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  • InDC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, look forward to the next one!
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 January 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book really pulls you in – the writing is very good, the storytelling superb while at the same time bringing awareness to a very real and horrific problem in the Congo. I read this book over a 10 day holiday and could not put it down; really interesting character development, with a little bit of mystery and twists as well. People who have lived and worked in developing countries will also appreciate the very authentic portrayal of the experience of being an expat in sometimes not so comfortable surroundings and situations.
    I am truly looking forward to the next book as I need to find out what happens!
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  • D.S.
    4.0 out of 5 stars thoroughly enjoyed
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed the story of the 'child witches', and am curious to read what happens next. The Congo is described very vividly and offered me a walk down memory lane.
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  • Morana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, provocative and witty
    Reviewed in the United States on 24 March 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Having read and enjoyed another Mike Ormsby's book, Never mind the Balkans, here's Romania, I decided to try Child Witch Kinshasa. I wasn't initially sure I would like it, as the big part of my attraction to the previous book was that it was about a country I knew well, and I have never been to Congo. My scepticism was soon removed - Mike writes vividly and the story was so captivating, that I was able to immerse myself completely. And I did find something that I know so well - the world of aid and development workers. Mike's dry humour worked particularly well when describing that universe.
    While the main story about child exorcism is hair raising and sad, the writing style made it easy to read. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
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  • aero
    3.0 out of 5 stars took a while
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Took a bit of reading to get into it, picked up this book because I' be been in Kinshasa an was interested in local references. May were there. Liked most of the African story but not much of the England piece. Became interested in the characters as the story unfolded. Not many books out there that give as accurate a look at the Congo troubles as this one.
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