Last Days in Cloud Cuckooland by Graham Boynton is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the decline of white culture in Africa, spanning the years from the chaotic Belgian retreat from the Congo in 1960 to the early days of Nelson Mandela’s presidency in South Africa. Through vivid and sometimes graphic accounts, Boynton offers a deeply personal narrative that examines the complex and often contradictory roles played by whites in Africa during a time of massive upheaval.
Boynton challenges simplistic portrayals of colonialism and post-colonial Africa, pointing out that the white colonists were not a unified group of cold-hearted supremacists, just as the African population was not a homogeneous band of idealists. With a sharp, critical eye, the author highlights the flaws of both the departing colonists and the African leaders who followed them. The narrative gradually builds to a controversial conclusion: while the white colonials may not have done a great job of making Africa work, their African successors, Boynton argues, have done far worse. This bold, unflinching account sheds light on the difficult realities of Africa’s post-colonial journey.
Last Days in Cloud Cuckooland is an essential read for those interested in the complexities of Africa’s colonial and post-colonial history, offering a unique and honest perspective on the failures of both sides.
