Published in 1963, this is a collection of stories written in the 1950s and early 1960s, at a time when nations in Africa were gaining independence. Laurence was not as concerned with political change as she was with the culture and people she grew to admire while living in western Africa 1950-57. The stories were published individually in literary journals, and all of them are superb. My personal favourites are "The Perfume Sea" and "The Rain Child".

Cultural appropriation in fiction was not yet a common topic. Laurence herself admitted "I actually wonder how I ever had the nerve to attempt to go into the mind of an African man, and I suppose if I'd really known how difficult was the job I was attempting, I would never have tried it. I am not at all sorry I tried it, and in fact I believe from various comments made by African reviewers that at least some parts of the African chapters have a certain authenticity. But not, perhaps, as much as I once believed." Even with this acknowledgement it must be noted that all the stories show respect and honour for the people and are an example of Laurence's outstanding ability as a writer. ( )

I never knew that Margaret Laurence had lived in Africa or that she wrote short stories about Africa. This unexpected find was my choice for my July Canadian classic read and it was terrific.

The stories take place in Ghana just before and after it gained its independence from Britain. The expatriate experience is revealed in The Drummer of All the World, The Perfume Sea, The Merchant of Heaven and The Rain Child. The African point of view is explored in the other stories. Of them all I think the title story is the best but they are all great and well-written. ( )