Thank you, George, I understand a little more!

I first worked as a volunteer Careers Adviser in Langa High School, in Cape Flats, in 2006. I was totally shell-- shockeded by the experience, not simply the poverty in the township or chaos in the school. It was the social attitudes and prejudices of the different races and classes that I found so difficult to understand. This book has helped me to understand a little better. Our NPO, Eyethu Careers Point, is now in the process of changing so that it aims not only to provide employability workshops for SA's disadvantaged youth, but to campaign for socio-economic justice. Thank you so much, George. I hope you are now in recover.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Great Book

Really enjoyed this ‘story’. Being a South African living in UK I found it interesting. We moved countries in 1986 so a lot of what is mentioned in here was an insight. My brother’s family actually lived in Ponte in the late 70’s early 80’s so could picture where it was referring to. Also being familiar with most of the places mentioned made it even more real to me. Thank you George Alagiah for a great story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

HOT HOT HOT

A topical, emotive, gripping and sometimes funny story about principles, friendship, strugel and the brutality of betrayal. the characters were well rounded and believable. The narration was on point and the story telling simultaneously intimate and universal. Written with a true insider perspective. I was left wanting more when it ended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Reminiscent of Alan Paton

The best SA novel I have read since Cry the Beloved Country. Powerful, evocative and raw. The story is compelling and the writing exceptional. I hope George Alagiah has more to come!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA

I chose this audio book because I am South African but have lived in Italy for 35 years thus an accurate report, in the form of a novel really intriqued me. The information I have verified and found it to be sadly true. I did not, however finish the book. I abandonded it 30 minutes before the end owing to the flow of foul language!! This too is probably exactly how certain people speak. The writer is a jouralist and the style is sharp and interesting.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Unsettling fictional South African story

Troubling, insightful, insight to corruption and violence in post-apartheid South Africa. The interweaving of personal and political cuts close to the bone and reveals the multi-faceted challenges of transforming South Africa. The range of perspectives on what is acceptable personal or political action is laid bare against the challenges of promoting equity within a neoliberal and corrupt system. Depressingly and distressingly well conceived and written.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

.

Good story but ending/climax is abit short, it just kinda ends and you feel like that there could have been more

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Disappointing

I am returning this book unfinished. After 2 chapters I did not want to listen further. It's language and descriptions are crude. I was wanting to learn about these sad and dreadful times in SAfrica but not in this way. Sorry.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

I wanted to like this book

I wanted to like this, the premise, the location, the subject matter. The issue of land-reforms, jaded dreams etc in South Africa, offers a bold, real and current subject matter was but the author tried to deal with them in a small story way. Making it a really poor story for a number of reasons.
My first impression was George had written this as a journalist, a list of facts rather than a story, it evolved and I felt corrected but not for long. It was completely lacking direction, which is a shame. It was riddled through with clichés, which can be forgiven but not on this scale. George had licence to point out some uncomfortable truths but took them nowhere.
The story obviously ended, with an inference that the issues used as backbone to the story were dealt with, which anyone with access to news knows is not true. The author didn’t even attempt to explain it away.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful