Summary
"The Last Resort: A Zimbabwe Memoir" by Douglas Rogers is a compelling and often humorous account of life under Robert Mugabe's increasingly oppressive regime, as seen through the eyes of his parents, Lyn and Rosalind Rogers, who stubbornly remain on their farm, Drifters, despite the escalating chaos and violence. Rogers, initially living abroad, returns to Zimbabwe to document his parents' struggles and finds himself drawn into their world, a microcosm of a nation grappling with political turmoil, economic collapse, and the erosion of its social fabric.
The memoir chronicles the Rogers' journey from relative comfort and stability to a state of near-constant crisis, as they navigate land invasions, hyperinflation, and the ever-present threat of violence. Drifters, once a thriving backpacker lodge and game farm, becomes a refuge for displaced white farmers, black farmworkers, and even members of the opposition party, turning the property into a symbol of resistance against the ruling ZANU-PF party.
Rogers vividly portrays the eccentric cast of characters who populate his parents' world, from the resourceful Miss Moneypenny, a black-market currency dealer, to the enigmatic soldier Walter, a former guerrilla fighter with ties to the highest echelons of power. He captures the resilience and humor of ordinary Zimbabweans as they find ingenious ways to survive in the face of adversity, from bartering for goods to engaging in small-scale acts of defiance.
As the political situation deteriorates, the Rogers' face increasing pressure to leave their farm, but they refuse to be driven out, clinging to their land as a testament to their identity and their belief in a better future for Zimbabwe. Rogers grapples with his own conflicted feelings about his homeland, torn between his desire to protect his parents and his longing for a more stable life abroad. Through vivid storytelling and keen observations, "The Last Resort" offers a deeply personal and insightful look at a country in crisis, celebrating the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.