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Chameleon Days: An American Boyhood in Ethiopia
In 1964, at the age of three, Tim Bascom is thrust into a world of eucalyptus trees and stampeding baboons when his family moves from the Midwest to Ethiopia. The unflinchingly observant narrator of this memoir reveals his missionary parents� struggles in a sometimes hostile country. Sent reluctantly to boarding school in the capital, young Tim finds that beyond the gates enclosing that peculiar, isolated world, conflict roils Ethiopian society. When secret riot drills at school are followed with an attack by rampaging students near his parents' mission station, Tim witnesses the disintegration of his family’s African idyll as Haile Selassie’s empire begins to crumble.
Like Alexandra Fuller’s Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, Chameleon Days chronicles social upheaval through the keen yet naive eyes of a child. Bascom offers readers a fascinating glimpse of missionary life, much as Barbara Kingsolver did in The Poisonwood Bible.
Like Alexandra Fuller’s Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, Chameleon Days chronicles social upheaval through the keen yet naive eyes of a child. Bascom offers readers a fascinating glimpse of missionary life, much as Barbara Kingsolver did in The Poisonwood Bible.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 17, 2017
Had I not attended an Iowa writers workshop last year, it’s unlikely I would have come across this book. But hearing the author speak, not only about his experiences as a Missionary Kid in Africa, but also his process and advice for memoir writing, I wanted to read his book.
"Chameleon Days" is one of two memoirs Bascom has written about his experiences in Africa—first as a young child and the second, "Running to the Fire," as he comes of age in Ethiopia during the Marxist “Red Terror.�
What I appreciate about both memoirs is Bascom's honesty about his internal struggles with what was happening to and around him. Though I questioned his ability to accurately recall events as a three-year-old, his self-awareness as he matured probably lends credibility to his younger memories and feelings. At any rate, Bascom conveys both the excitement and anxiety of his young life. He relates a child’s excitement at exploring the exotic surroundings of their missionary compound, as well as his anxiety at being removed from the loving security of his parents� home to attend boarding school in the capital city. Young Tim thrilled at cross-country rides in the Land Rover with his father, navigating harsh terrain. Despite his parents� missionary enthusiasm, Bascom is also attuned to their disappointments and disillusionment. And he hints at the unease of their failure to really assimilate to the culture and acknowledge the autocratic reign of the Lion of Judah � Haile Selassie.
I suspect anyone who has responded to the call to be an ambassador for Christ in a foreign land will relate to the sense of isolation and difficulty of knowing where “home� is that Bascom conveys so effectively.
"Chameleon Days" is one of two memoirs Bascom has written about his experiences in Africa—first as a young child and the second, "Running to the Fire," as he comes of age in Ethiopia during the Marxist “Red Terror.�
What I appreciate about both memoirs is Bascom's honesty about his internal struggles with what was happening to and around him. Though I questioned his ability to accurately recall events as a three-year-old, his self-awareness as he matured probably lends credibility to his younger memories and feelings. At any rate, Bascom conveys both the excitement and anxiety of his young life. He relates a child’s excitement at exploring the exotic surroundings of their missionary compound, as well as his anxiety at being removed from the loving security of his parents� home to attend boarding school in the capital city. Young Tim thrilled at cross-country rides in the Land Rover with his father, navigating harsh terrain. Despite his parents� missionary enthusiasm, Bascom is also attuned to their disappointments and disillusionment. And he hints at the unease of their failure to really assimilate to the culture and acknowledge the autocratic reign of the Lion of Judah � Haile Selassie.
I suspect anyone who has responded to the call to be an ambassador for Christ in a foreign land will relate to the sense of isolation and difficulty of knowing where “home� is that Bascom conveys so effectively.
September 2, 2017
Tim Bascom’s family moved to Ethiopia when he was three to serve as medical missionaries with Sudan Interior Mission. For the first three years, Tim remained at home with his parents, although his older brother was away at boarding school. When the family returned from their furlough, Tim joined his brother at boarding school with all the new fears and experiences of that situation. This recounts those experiences looking back as an adult but through the eyes of the child he was.
I liked this better than other memoirs of growing up in Africa that I've read. I think it's because he did a good job of not including an adult's perspective on things that he wouldn't have known as a child.
I liked this better than other memoirs of growing up in Africa that I've read. I think it's because he did a good job of not including an adult's perspective on things that he wouldn't have known as a child.
November 20, 2016
This is a neat little book about a young boy growing up as a missionary kid in Ethiopia. It is an interesting read, and well written. Reading the book, I felt my pulse slow, and the day meander by, and felt a little of what the author must have felt as a boy in that situation. The book does a good job of taking the reader to that place.
Anyone wishing to experience the life of a missionary kid, or perhaps that of the child of a foreign relief worker, may enjoy this book.
Anyone wishing to experience the life of a missionary kid, or perhaps that of the child of a foreign relief worker, may enjoy this book.
December 27, 2021
Tim Bascom's experience as a child of missionaries in Ethiopia in the 1960's and 1970's. Tim started attending boarding school for Americans hundreds of miles from his family at age seven. He faced loneliness and anxiety being separated from his family for a number of weeks at a time.
His father was a doctor and served at several hospitals in Ethiopia
His father was a doctor and served at several hospitals in Ethiopia
July 26, 2013
These are the memories of the middle child of a couple who served as missionaries in Ethiopia in the 1960's. Tim was 3 years old when he first arrived. The book covers his parents' tours of 5 years, making him 8 years old at the book's end.
It's hard to imagine such an observant 3 year old, but, this is a child living in a highly insecure environment. A perfect metaphor occurs at the start when Tim and his older brother arrive on Ethiopian soil and run. Miraculously they stop at the edge of a cliff. They look down and shake from the vision of the drop off. Another missionary sees some baboons and thinks its great fun to scatter them, adding further terror to the boys still standing on the brink.
Just like that missionary who scattered the baboons, other than Mom, who from time to time says "He's too young", the adults seem to be oblivious to the obvious endangerment of the children.
Every time this family got in the Land Rover I choked. Similarly ominous were the times Tim left the campus of his boarding school... a school where the children are shown a secret basement "just in case".
The book gives a good portrait of missionary life and the state of life in these remote outposts at that time. While the author's point is to describe his life (not elicit sympathy for missionary children), I could not get past the terror these children were exposed to. I would hope that people who contemplate this sort of work, and people who assign them will consider this book. The policy of sending people to remote and dangerous places with such young dependents needs to be reconsidered.
It's hard to imagine such an observant 3 year old, but, this is a child living in a highly insecure environment. A perfect metaphor occurs at the start when Tim and his older brother arrive on Ethiopian soil and run. Miraculously they stop at the edge of a cliff. They look down and shake from the vision of the drop off. Another missionary sees some baboons and thinks its great fun to scatter them, adding further terror to the boys still standing on the brink.
Just like that missionary who scattered the baboons, other than Mom, who from time to time says "He's too young", the adults seem to be oblivious to the obvious endangerment of the children.
Every time this family got in the Land Rover I choked. Similarly ominous were the times Tim left the campus of his boarding school... a school where the children are shown a secret basement "just in case".
The book gives a good portrait of missionary life and the state of life in these remote outposts at that time. While the author's point is to describe his life (not elicit sympathy for missionary children), I could not get past the terror these children were exposed to. I would hope that people who contemplate this sort of work, and people who assign them will consider this book. The policy of sending people to remote and dangerous places with such young dependents needs to be reconsidered.
March 2, 2015
This is a book about growing up in Ethiopia, but not really: far more than that it is about growing up in a missionary family in Ethiopia, which is a different beast altogether.
Very young when he moved there, the author lived in a mission house, went to an American-run boarding school, and had almost no interaction with native Ethiopians who were not connected to the mission or the school. I don’t fault Bascom for this � again, he was young � but it must have made for an upbringing both exotic and sheltered.
One thing I will credit the author for is managing to impart a great deal of information about the political climate of the time � much of which I am sure he did not understand until long after the events of this book � without losing the point of view. Some of their time in Ethiopia was characterised by political tension and change, which made their time there rather more complex than it might have been.
Bascom’s parents went, as he tells it, out of a sense of duty and love and sacrifice. Bascom clearly admires them for it. It does not sound like an easy job, but it is tremendously interesting to see them struggle with so badly wanting to make a difference � and believing that this was where help was most needed � while at the same time wondering if they weren’t better missionaries at home.
Very young when he moved there, the author lived in a mission house, went to an American-run boarding school, and had almost no interaction with native Ethiopians who were not connected to the mission or the school. I don’t fault Bascom for this � again, he was young � but it must have made for an upbringing both exotic and sheltered.
One thing I will credit the author for is managing to impart a great deal of information about the political climate of the time � much of which I am sure he did not understand until long after the events of this book � without losing the point of view. Some of their time in Ethiopia was characterised by political tension and change, which made their time there rather more complex than it might have been.
Bascom’s parents went, as he tells it, out of a sense of duty and love and sacrifice. Bascom clearly admires them for it. It does not sound like an easy job, but it is tremendously interesting to see them struggle with so badly wanting to make a difference � and believing that this was where help was most needed � while at the same time wondering if they weren’t better missionaries at home.
June 6, 2015
The son of medical missionaries, Tim Bascom and his three brothers moved to Ethiopia when he was only four. His six-year-old brother was immediately left at boarding school, miles away from his family, and didn't get to see them for months. Three years later, Tim joined him, and writes about being consumed with sobs at being so far from his family and in the midst of strangers. The school treated the children well and it was a huge improvement over local schools, yet Tim felt abandoned, and he describes that in heartbreaking detail. When the family is together in the book, it is a close, loving group, and Tim presents those times with joy and clarity.
The title comes from Tim's pet chameleon, which he finds when he first gets to Ethiopia. The chameleon can see different directions from it two eyes and it can change colors to suit it environment. Tim uses this as a metaphor for his own life, one foot in Ethiopia, the other in his native Kansas, trying to fit in, but not sure what to call home.
The title comes from Tim's pet chameleon, which he finds when he first gets to Ethiopia. The chameleon can see different directions from it two eyes and it can change colors to suit it environment. Tim uses this as a metaphor for his own life, one foot in Ethiopia, the other in his native Kansas, trying to fit in, but not sure what to call home.
October 8, 2012
Full of descriptions of simple, imaginative childhood games and the universal desire to belong, Chameleon Days resonates with me on several levels. Although young Tim Bascom’s games took place mostly in Ethiopia—a country I’ve never visited—as I read Bascom’s memoir, I found myself repeating, “Oh, yes, now I remember, my brother and I played that game, too.� And the young author’s feelings of separation came because he attended boarding school far from where his missionary parents were stationed, and with the exception of one Girl Scout camp, I had no lengthy separations from my parents until I went to college. But his stories evoked my own memories of separation and wanting to belong in many circumstances throughout my life.
Chameleon Days is also a story of perceptions—how we perceive foreigners, how they perceive us, how children perceive adults, authority, spiritual teachings, cultures, friends.
With masterful descriptions, Bascom has struck universal chords.
Chameleon Days is also a story of perceptions—how we perceive foreigners, how they perceive us, how children perceive adults, authority, spiritual teachings, cultures, friends.
With masterful descriptions, Bascom has struck universal chords.
May 16, 2017
The author was in Ethiopia just slightly before I was, but in a much different environment - while I was a military brat, Bascom was the son of medical missionaries. His family lived in the field while he attended boarding school in Addis Ababa; I lived with my family and attended school in Addis.
I think perhaps I was looking for something more evocative, or some time spent on what was actually happening in Ethiopia during the time he was there. I get it - we were there when the monarchy fell, and I was the epitome of the Clueless American Teenager. But if I were to write a memoir of my time there, I'd be doing the research to put in historical and political framing for what was happening around me in the early-to-mid 1970s.
This is a nice enough read. But it seems to be hinting at more of a story that it never gets around to telling.
I think perhaps I was looking for something more evocative, or some time spent on what was actually happening in Ethiopia during the time he was there. I get it - we were there when the monarchy fell, and I was the epitome of the Clueless American Teenager. But if I were to write a memoir of my time there, I'd be doing the research to put in historical and political framing for what was happening around me in the early-to-mid 1970s.
This is a nice enough read. But it seems to be hinting at more of a story that it never gets around to telling.
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March 26, 2012Tim Bascomb is the son of American missionaries, and, as a result, spent much of his childhood in Ethiopia in the 1960's.
Like the children of many former missionaries, he had to adapt and make adjustments to Western culture on his return to the United States. Unlike many that I've read about, he seems to have done a good job of adapting.
I also really like that he seems to be particularly clear-sighted about religion and about his past experiences. His views, on the whole seem very balanced, IMO.
This was a very good memoir.
Like the children of many former missionaries, he had to adapt and make adjustments to Western culture on his return to the United States. Unlike many that I've read about, he seems to have done a good job of adapting.
I also really like that he seems to be particularly clear-sighted about religion and about his past experiences. His views, on the whole seem very balanced, IMO.
This was a very good memoir.
April 5, 2011
frankly, I had pretty high hopes for this autobiography of a child growing up in Haille Salassie's Ethiopia as the child of missionary parents, but I in the end I came away not really knowing much more about Ethiopia or what it was like to live there. I was hugely relieved that Bascom did not give us another Franky Schaeffer treatment of his growing up years.
April 19, 2008
Beautifully written. The memoir offers a reflection on the missionary experience as a child-in-tow. Without pretension or agenda, Mr Bascom maintains a child's innocence while deftly weaving reflection throughout.
October 24, 2009
Chameleon Days provides a view of Ethiopia through the eyes of a western child (in the 1970s). It is a well written memoir touched with sadness, and a vulnerable account of the challenges field-missionaries face.
May 3, 2017
Yes, it is an American Boyhood in Ethiopia. One in which this particular boy did very, very little interacting with anything or anyone Africa. I could have read as "Chameleon Days: An American Boyhood in Kansas".
July 17, 2017
Fascinating account of a boyhood in Ethiopia. Timmy travels with his parents and 2 brothers to a missionary station in Ethiopia. Told with a strong voice from a child's point of view, I recommend this book.
May 3, 2008
This was my first contextual introduction to Ethiopia, where I moved in September 2006. In the year and a half I've lived here, I've come to appreciate and understand this book even more.
October 13, 2009
A well written and facinating account of a childhood spent in the wonderful country of Ethiopia. It really wet my appetite for travel to Ethiopia.
June 28, 2010
This one almost rated 4 stars. Hey, it did earn the the "Bread Loaf Writers' Conference Bakeless Prize". It is the story of a young boy as his family serves as missionaries in Ethiopia.
May 19, 2011
Very interesting.
June 11, 2018
This was an interesting memoir. There were a lot of really intriguing moments, but I had a hard time connecting with any of the people in the book.
October 31, 2012
An interesting look at Ethiopia as seen from a young boy's eyes while his parents were missionaries in the country during the 1960s.
August 21, 2015
Ok. Interesting...but really should be titled something like "An American Missionary Childhood." Not really much about Ethiopia here.
October 15, 2017
Compelling coming-of-age metaphor set in Ethiopia. j
August 20, 2020
This was a well-written and interesting memoir set in Ethiopia. Looking at the unique cultures of the country, as it was set in two highly different villages as well as a bigger city, through the eyes of a white child, the son of a medical missionary, was intriguing. I'm glad that I found this book while trying to find a book to fit the keyword title challenge I'm doing because when I do read nonfiction, this is the sort I like to read, simple and flowing like a fictional story would.
December 5, 2019
Not as much Ethiopia as I was hoping.
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