Hum If You Don't Know the Words
Perfect for readers of The Secret Life of Bees and The Help, a perceptive and searing look at Apartheid-era South Africa, told through one unique family brought together by tragedy.
Life under Apartheid has created a secure future for Robin Conrad, a ten-year-old white girl living with her parents in 1970s Johannesburg. In the same nation but worlds apart, Beauty Mbali, a Xhosa woman in a rural village in the Bantu homeland of the Transkei, struggles to raise her children alone after her husband's death. Both lives have been built upon the division of race, and their meeting should never have occurred...until the Soweto Uprising, in which a protest by black students ignites racial conflict, alters the fault lines on which their society is built, and shatters their worlds when Robin’s parents are left dead and Beauty’s daughter goes missing.
Told through Beauty and Robin's alternating perspectives, the interwoven narratives create a rich and complex tapestry of the emotions and tensions at the heart of Apartheid-era South Africa. Hum If You Don’t Know the Words is a beautifully rendered look at loss, racism, and the creation of family.
Life under Apartheid has created a secure future for Robin Conrad, a ten-year-old white girl living with her parents in 1970s Johannesburg. In the same nation but worlds apart, Beauty Mbali, a Xhosa woman in a rural village in the Bantu homeland of the Transkei, struggles to raise her children alone after her husband's death. Both lives have been built upon the division of race, and their meeting should never have occurred...until the Soweto Uprising, in which a protest by black students ignites racial conflict, alters the fault lines on which their society is built, and shatters their worlds when Robin’s parents are left dead and Beauty’s daughter goes missing.
Told through Beauty and Robin's alternating perspectives, the interwoven narratives create a rich and complex tapestry of the emotions and tensions at the heart of Apartheid-era South Africa. Hum If You Don’t Know the Words is a beautifully rendered look at loss, racism, and the creation of family.
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Hum If You Don't Know The Words by Bianca Marais
415 pages
What’s it about?
Robin Conrad is a 9-year-old white girl living with her parents in Johannesburg in the 1970's. When the Soweta uprising happens her world drastically changes. She will cross paths with a cast of new characters, including Beauty Mbali. Beauty has come to the city from her rural village to find her college age daughter and bring her home to safety. Their relationship will forever change how they view "the other side".
What did it make me think about?
Racism and hope.
Should I read it?
Not only do the characters in this story pull you in, but the plot was so nicely paced that you could almost read this book in one sitting. Ok- so most of us can't do that, but you will want to..... I highly recommend this book and can't wait to pick up her next novel, If You Want To Make God Laugh. Ms. Marais handles a serious subject with a light touch, just enough humor, and hope for what can be.
Quote-
"Our homes are borderless just as the world was once free of boundaries; there would be no walls or roofs at all except for the essential shelter they provide. Privacy is not a concept my people understand or desire; we bear witness to each other's lives and take comfort in having our lives seen. What greater gift can you give another than to say: I see you, I hear you, and you are not alone?"
If you liked this try-
Dominicana by Angie Cruz
The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement
Hum If You Don't Know The Words by Bianca Marais
415 pages
What’s it about?
Robin Conrad is a 9-year-old white girl living with her parents in Johannesburg in the 1970's. When the Soweta uprising happens her world drastically changes. She will cross paths with a cast of new characters, including Beauty Mbali. Beauty has come to the city from her rural village to find her college age daughter and bring her home to safety. Their relationship will forever change how they view "the other side".
What did it make me think about?
Racism and hope.
Should I read it?
Not only do the characters in this story pull you in, but the plot was so nicely paced that you could almost read this book in one sitting. Ok- so most of us can't do that, but you will want to..... I highly recommend this book and can't wait to pick up her next novel, If You Want To Make God Laugh. Ms. Marais handles a serious subject with a light touch, just enough humor, and hope for what can be.
Quote-
"Our homes are borderless just as the world was once free of boundaries; there would be no walls or roofs at all except for the essential shelter they provide. Privacy is not a concept my people understand or desire; we bear witness to each other's lives and take comfort in having our lives seen. What greater gift can you give another than to say: I see you, I hear you, and you are not alone?"
If you liked this try-
Dominicana by Angie Cruz
The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement
Bianca Marais's "Hum If You Don't Know the Words" offers a poignant exploration of South African society against the backdrop of apartheid. Narrated through the alternating perspectives of Beauty, a Xhosa woman, and Robin, a young white girl, the novel navigates the complexities of race, identity, and family in a nation torn apart by segregation.
Listening to the audiobook version of this novel, think South African narratives are best served by South African narrators. The authenticity and nuance of language, especially when it comes to pronunciations of Afrikaans and Zulu in this book, would undoubtedly enhance the listening experience.
Initially wary of the possibility of relying on stereotypes to depict South Africa's diverse society, I enjoyed Marais's adept storytelling. Rather than succumbing to clichés, she skillfully delves into the complexities of human nature, portraying characters who are neither entirely good nor entirely bad. Through her vivid prose, Marais paints a multifaceted portrait of South Africa, showcasing its rich diversity and highlighting the coexistence of kindness and brutality, generosity and meanness.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of the intricate relationships that develop between its characters. Beauty and Robin's unlikely bond serves as a poignant reminder of the power of empathy and connection to transcend societal divides. As they navigate the turbulent landscape of 1970s South Africa, they discover shared experiences of loss, longing, and resilience, ultimately finding solace in each other's company.
While "Hum If You Don't Know the Words" grapples with weighty themes and complex historical realities, it also offers moments of tenderness and hope. Marais's poignant narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit and the possibility of finding light in even the darkest of times.
In conclusion, "Hum If You Don't Know the Words" is a compelling and thought-provoking read that transports readers to the heart of South Africa's tumultuous history. Despite minor reservations about the audiobook narration, the novel's powerful storytelling and nuanced characterizations make it a worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.
Listening to the audiobook version of this novel, think South African narratives are best served by South African narrators. The authenticity and nuance of language, especially when it comes to pronunciations of Afrikaans and Zulu in this book, would undoubtedly enhance the listening experience.
Initially wary of the possibility of relying on stereotypes to depict South Africa's diverse society, I enjoyed Marais's adept storytelling. Rather than succumbing to clichés, she skillfully delves into the complexities of human nature, portraying characters who are neither entirely good nor entirely bad. Through her vivid prose, Marais paints a multifaceted portrait of South Africa, showcasing its rich diversity and highlighting the coexistence of kindness and brutality, generosity and meanness.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of the intricate relationships that develop between its characters. Beauty and Robin's unlikely bond serves as a poignant reminder of the power of empathy and connection to transcend societal divides. As they navigate the turbulent landscape of 1970s South Africa, they discover shared experiences of loss, longing, and resilience, ultimately finding solace in each other's company.
While "Hum If You Don't Know the Words" grapples with weighty themes and complex historical realities, it also offers moments of tenderness and hope. Marais's poignant narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit and the possibility of finding light in even the darkest of times.
In conclusion, "Hum If You Don't Know the Words" is a compelling and thought-provoking read that transports readers to the heart of South Africa's tumultuous history. Despite minor reservations about the audiobook narration, the novel's powerful storytelling and nuanced characterizations make it a worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.
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