Tor Hansen

Durban (1976). Mandela zit gevangen op Robbeneiland. Het land is rassengescheiden. Kunnen de pasgetrouwden, Kim en Pippa, een toekomst op lange termijn plannen in Apartheid Zuid-Afrika? Ze willen simpele dingen: een gezin, iedereen eerlijk behandelen, ongeacht ras, huidskleur of geloofsovertuiging. Pippa's prioriteiten zijn haar huwelijk en toekomstige gezin - maar in een veilig land, aangezien ze diep geschokt is door de moord op haar broer. Ze wil meedoen aan de 'Chicken Run' in het buitenland. Kims naïeve wens om te blijven en te helpen bouwen aan een betere toekomst voor Zuid-Afrika leidt tot toenemende spanningen tussen hen. De veiligheidsdienst en hun web van informanten raken geïnteresseerd wanneer Kim in de problemen komt in een nabijgelegen krakerskamp. Daar ontmoet hij Ivy, die een illegaal drinkhol runt. Haar zoon Phineas, haar hoop op een democratische, beschaafde toekomst. Proberen te helpen zonder gearresteerd te worden en toch zijn huwelijk te redden?… (altro)

An unusual book; my first thought was to wonder who might be the publisher's target audience, until I worked out that "Trebuchet Books" is not (?or not yet?) a mainstream publisher. Their small catalogue seems to reflect their chosen name - a Trebuchet being a device for "throwing things" - throw it out there and see who reads it!
That said, the book takes a bit of getting in to, but is well worth the effort. To get in a bit quicker than I did, take note of the heading under Chapter 1's title: "Durban. 20th September 1975". Readers age under about 50 may be vaguely aware of the scourge of apartheid in South Africa, which became a democracy only in 1994. Our (white) hero, seeks to help the downtrodden, narrowly escaping joining their fate. A good read, once one gets orientated.… (altro)

I received an uncorrected proof copy of this title as part of the Early Reviewers program.
I am a white South African male, and I lived through the period that forms the core narrative of the book, so almost everything in the novel was sadly familiar to me. Being conscripted against my will, looking for ways to reconcile my personal beliefs with the hard fact of having to choose between wearing the South African army's uniform or going to prison were all part of my life.
This is a well written book, and it deals extremely well with the anxiety of the time, as well as offering a clear parallel with the enormous hardships suffered by the black majority in South Africa under white National Party rule. It's hard for me to say that I "enjoyed" the book as it's a little too close to home, and brought back many memories that I'd rather not be forced to consider now, many years later.
That said, I'm glad I read it. And if you're at all interested in the history of the time and place then I'd urge you to read it too.… (altro)

I received this book as early reviewer.

This was a very interesting book.
It was quite heavy at times, mainly due to the subject matter, but I liked the way it emphasised how 'normal' people tried to live their life under Apartheid.
Both Kim and Pippa were alight characters, but they did not feel truly three dimensional. The plot felt slow, especially in the beginning, and most of the tension comes from them disagreeing on their future. This is definitely a character driven book, and not a plot heavy one.… (altro)