

What a house! What a story!
Halfway through Long Walk to Freedom I considered how hard Winnie Mandela‘s life must have been and how I would like to hear the story from her perspective.
It wasn‘t that long ago where I might not have gave Winnie much thought. But I have worked very hard to break the chains that have been put in place to imprison our curiosity and concern for ALL people‘s stories; work we all need to do. Unfortunately, I haven‘t found a copy of this yet.
I was just 10 when Mandela was released from prison, so he‘s always been a name in the background for me. I was surprised to find that he was not above political violence if necessary, or working with communists. In many ways he seems a bit of an anomaly in the ‘Revered Figure Dept.‘
The storytelling is compelling, told simply, but engagingly. I particularly enjoyed the early sections about his childhood. And the language.
Set in #SouthAfrica, this bodyguard thriller starts off a series with plenty of action. Lemmer‘s client recognized her brother on a TV but he‘s been presumed dead for 20 years. And soon it seems someone is after Emma as they start uncovering hidden truths. Abrupt transitions make the audio feel a little convoluted at times, & some of the relationship details feel rough… I couldn‘t connect with the characters enough to want to continue the series!
I read this in my native language, and really enjoyed it! Can't remember the last time I read Afrikaans.
Meyer has this gripping writing style with a lot of tension, drama and politics. Combined with very broken characters, only ever trying their best.
Adding to that; all of his books are set in one of my favourite places: Cape Town.
My only complaint is the fowl language.
I love Deborah Levy. She's always a little absurd and it's always entertaining. This is her first of several memoirs, covering mainly her time in South Africa while her father was imprisoned for about five years for speaking against Apartheid, and then some of her time in England.
I want to read her other memoirs, but this will be the only one I listen to (free on audible). I didn‘t like the reader.
Normally, I don‘t pay particular attention to History Months, but this year I want to engage in some way with Black HM. So I perused my TBR and I think I have found the best way I can personally engage: Mandela‘s autobiography.
Already a few chapters in and I know it was the right choice. Perhaps (don‘t hold me to this) I will make it a theme for this year.
Funny how tr**mp‘s attempts to stifle history has made me want to do the opposite 🤔
My new audio. This is the 1st of several memoirs - and it‘s free on audible. Writing is fun. (Reader is crappy - but not so bad that I can‘t tolerate her. I think Juliette Stephenson reads an edition. Maybe find that)
Deborah Levy writes about growing up in South Africa, her father imprisoned for speaking against Apartheid.
My dad passed on his love of coffee table books to me, especially the ones about food, homes, and travel. This one beautifully sums up all three.
This is on my to-buy list now! 🥙