From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up This story of a fateful year in a girl's life takes place in 1960s apartheid South Africa. In order to divert attention away from their failing marriage, Emily's emotionally distant parents invite a family to stay in a camper in their yard. Emily befriends the younger son, Streak, while the older son, Otis, who is clearly brain damaged, becomes almost a devoted shadow to her gentle and loving older sister, Sarah. It soon becomes clear that the boys' father beats them regularly, and that one of his beatings most likely led to Otis's condition. Emily increasingly looks to Buza, the night watchman, for love and reassurance, and he shares folktales and traditional Zulu wisdom with her. The relationship between Otis and Sarah becomes more and more tense, and Otis rapes her. Through tragedy, the girls' parents finally come to a truce. Emily's relationships with the people close to her ring true, and her friendship with Streak has its touching moments. However, the dialogue is uneven. Streak's semi-educated speech, for instance, sounds more American than South African. While the story has emotional power and shows something of the class and race relationships of the time, it lacks a deep grounding in the social context, such as that shown in Beverley Naidoo's collection Out of Bounds (HarperCollins, 2003). Instead, it focuses primarily on Emily and her tragic family circumstances. Suggest this one to readers who are always looking for a sad book. Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 8-11. Growing up in a wooded Johannesburg suburb 40 years ago, Emily, 12, takes her white privilege for granted. Her anguish is mostly about her parents' daily fights, and when they take in a family of wandering Australians, "Gypsies," she hopes tensions at home will ease. As it turns out, the Gypsy trailer holds unspeakable violence that spills over into Emily's family. Seen through Emily's viewpoint, the characters are one-dimensional: her perfect older sister ("pure and good"); adulterous, narcissistic Mother; cold, distracted Father. In contrast there's Buza, the wise, saintly Zulu night watchman, who teaches and comforts Emily with stories--from Zulu folklore to Mandela's speech in court. What will hold readers in this first novel are the powerful family story and the horror of the racist regime. Buza is Emily's true parent-caregiver, and only later does she confront the distress of his legally enforced, lifelong isolation from his real daughter and family. When Buza is arrested for not having appropriate papers, Emily finally sees the daily police brutality, and the war of apartheid enters her home. For more about coming-of-age in a racist regime, see the adjacent Read-alikes: "Growing Up under Apartheid." Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"A spring visit from a vagabond family ends in disaster for two white girls and their family in apartheid South Africa in 1966. Twelve-year-old tomboy Emily lives in Johannesburg with her older sister Sarah and their self-absorbed, sparring parents. Emily compares her family to Johannesburg-an illusion held together with dust. Ignored by her selfish mother and detached father, Emily turns to the old Zulu night watchman Buza, who comforts her with his stories of courage and strength. Out of nowhere, the rootless Mallorys arrive in their bedraggled camping trailer, bringing danger and discontent. Emily and Sarah are soon distracted with ragamuffin Streak and retarded Otis Mallory. But Emily feels "cracked . . . in too many pieces" when she discovers her mother is having an affair and suspects Mr. Mallory is abusing Otis. Tragically, Emily's world is torn apart, but Buza helps provide the glue that holds her together. Subtle parallels between Emily's family and apartheid South Africa provide great depth and meaning to this somber, sensitive, exquisitely narrated story for mature readers. (glossary of Afrikaans and Zulu words and expressions) (Fiction. YA)" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Book Description
Set in apartheid South Africa, this powerful and lyrically written novel is Linzi Glass's debut.
As twelve-year-old Emily Iris explains it, her mother and father have always been eager to take in travelers and vagabonds, relying on the presence of outsiders to ease the tension between them. Emily has her gentle older sister, Sarah, and Buza, the old Zulu nightwatchman, for company and comfort. But her parents' continuing discontent leads them to welcome some peculiar strangers.
One spring, a family of wanderers--a wildlife photographer, his wife, and two boys--comes to stay, and their strange, compelling, and dangerous presence will leave the Iris family infinitely changed.
As twelve-year-old Emily Iris explains it, her mother and father have always been eager to take in travelers and vagabonds, relying on the presence of outsiders to ease the tension between them. Emily has her gentle older sister, Sarah, and Buza, the old Zulu nightwatchman, for company and comfort. But her parents' continuing discontent leads them to welcome some peculiar strangers.
One spring, a family of wanderers--a wildlife photographer, his wife, and two boys--comes to stay, and their strange, compelling, and dangerous presence will leave the Iris family infinitely changed.
About the Author
Linzi Glass was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and moved to the United States as a young adult. She lives in California.
