The Unravelling

The Unravelling is a gripping historical fiction set in Rhodesia, now named Zimbabwe, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The novel depicts the military, political, and tribal intrigues that led to the country's collapse as its disenfranchised black population took up arms to break free from Rhodesia's colonial past.

You will meet two young men, Nick and Sipho, who have a deep love for the country of their birth and for its endangered elephant and rhino herds which are facing an existential threat from poaching. During the Rhodesian Bush War, both men had served with distinction with the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) and had become stalwart brothers-in-arms.

After being demobilised from the RAR in July 1980, Nick goes to study in the UK where he falls in love with Rachel Dixon, the daughter of a controversial English businessman.

Sipho remains in Zimbabwe. He is a patriot from the Ndebele nation. He loves his tribal heritage but loves his country more. Following the disbandment of the RAR he joins the new Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and serves it with distinction. However, despite such service he becomes the victim of shameful tribal discrimination by the ZNA hierarchy.

Johannes du Toit, a callous white man and a deserter from the Rhodesian Light Infantry, flees Rhodesia in 1978 when his poaching activities are uncovered. He returns to Zimbabwe in 1981 to continue his nefarious activities.

The four characters meet at Mhuka Ranch in southeast Zimbabwe in 1981, where a lethal encounter leaves three people dead. The truth of what happened on that fateful day remains unknown to the public but will be revealed to the reader.

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The Unravelling

The Unravelling is a gripping historical fiction set in Rhodesia, now named Zimbabwe, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The novel depicts the military, political, and tribal intrigues that led to the country's collapse as its disenfranchised black population took up arms to break free from Rhodesia's colonial past.

You will meet two young men, Nick and Sipho, who have a deep love for the country of their birth and for its endangered elephant and rhino herds which are facing an existential threat from poaching. During the Rhodesian Bush War, both men had served with distinction with the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) and had become stalwart brothers-in-arms.

After being demobilised from the RAR in July 1980, Nick goes to study in the UK where he falls in love with Rachel Dixon, the daughter of a controversial English businessman.

Sipho remains in Zimbabwe. He is a patriot from the Ndebele nation. He loves his tribal heritage but loves his country more. Following the disbandment of the RAR he joins the new Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and serves it with distinction. However, despite such service he becomes the victim of shameful tribal discrimination by the ZNA hierarchy.

Johannes du Toit, a callous white man and a deserter from the Rhodesian Light Infantry, flees Rhodesia in 1978 when his poaching activities are uncovered. He returns to Zimbabwe in 1981 to continue his nefarious activities.

The four characters meet at Mhuka Ranch in southeast Zimbabwe in 1981, where a lethal encounter leaves three people dead. The truth of what happened on that fateful day remains unknown to the public but will be revealed to the reader.

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The Unravelling

The Unravelling

by Michael Chalk
The Unravelling

The Unravelling

by Michael Chalk

Paperback

$25.00 
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Overview

The Unravelling is a gripping historical fiction set in Rhodesia, now named Zimbabwe, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The novel depicts the military, political, and tribal intrigues that led to the country's collapse as its disenfranchised black population took up arms to break free from Rhodesia's colonial past.

You will meet two young men, Nick and Sipho, who have a deep love for the country of their birth and for its endangered elephant and rhino herds which are facing an existential threat from poaching. During the Rhodesian Bush War, both men had served with distinction with the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) and had become stalwart brothers-in-arms.

After being demobilised from the RAR in July 1980, Nick goes to study in the UK where he falls in love with Rachel Dixon, the daughter of a controversial English businessman.

Sipho remains in Zimbabwe. He is a patriot from the Ndebele nation. He loves his tribal heritage but loves his country more. Following the disbandment of the RAR he joins the new Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and serves it with distinction. However, despite such service he becomes the victim of shameful tribal discrimination by the ZNA hierarchy.

Johannes du Toit, a callous white man and a deserter from the Rhodesian Light Infantry, flees Rhodesia in 1978 when his poaching activities are uncovered. He returns to Zimbabwe in 1981 to continue his nefarious activities.

The four characters meet at Mhuka Ranch in southeast Zimbabwe in 1981, where a lethal encounter leaves three people dead. The truth of what happened on that fateful day remains unknown to the public but will be revealed to the reader.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780645846423
Publisher: Michael Chalk Author and Publisher
Publication date: 01/23/2025
Pages: 522
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.05(d)

About the Author

Michael's novels invite readers to witness the seismic shifts in southern Africa's recent history, rendered through characters whose lives are marked by love, war, and political upheaval.

Born in Durban, South Africa, in October 1955 and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Michael experienced firsthand the complex dynamics that fuel his storytelling. After completing his education in Rhodesia and earning a Bachelor of Laws in Scotland, he returned to Rhodesia, where he worked as a prosecutor and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Rhodesian African Rifles. His experiences gave him a deep understanding of the era's conflicts and camaraderie — insights he brings to his books.

In The Unravelling, Michael captures the tensions of the 1970s and 1980s as Rhodesia’s colonial rule collapses. Following two comrades, Nick and Sipho, through war and the challenging aftermath, the novel reveals the scars left on individuals and nations alike.

The story continues in A Moment of Madness, set amid Robert Mugabe’s rise to power. As Nick and Rachel navigate life in the UK and grapple with Zimbabwe’s brutal Gukurahundi campaign, they’re drawn into dangerous political currents that put love, loyalty, and integrity to the test. With vivid portrayals of Cold War geopolitics and Zimbabwe’s internal strife, Michael offers readers a gripping narrative of a country in turmoil.

In March 1990, Michael emigrated to Australia with his wife and two sons. Settling in Adelaide, South Australia, he worked in various senior roles in the private health sector for over 30 years.

Now retired and living in Adelaide, South Australia, Michael remains deeply connected to Zimbabwe. Through his writing, he explores the powerful intersections of history and personal destiny, inviting readers to uncover the untold stories behind Zimbabwe’s transformation.

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