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Wolseley

By: J. John le Grange
Narrated by: J. John le Grange
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Summary

New South Africa emerged peacefully and full of hope after Apartheid. Yet life is looking desperate for one white family, struggling to survive. Martha, Hendrik and their daughter Magda are six months behind with their rent when they are finally asked to vacate their house in the quiet town of Wolseley. Selling their remaining things, they head to Cape Town, their last chance. Cape Town proves to be unconcerned with their misfortune and the broken family must navigate the streets. It is from the streets that they'll learn that though Apartheid has ended, it is poverty that still segregates. Each character narrates their part of the story and the journey, moving further away from the hot coffee and sanity of Wolseley.

"Simple, beautifully told coming-of-age story in a wrenching account of loyalty, betrayal, heartbreak, and redemption…Le Grange writes beautifully, laying out the story in direct, simple prose while at the same time infusing it with vivid symbolism and deeply evocative images…Rarely has a difficult subject been so easy to read about…A profoundly affective novel brimming with solid writing that delves into the darker corners of being human." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Martha and Hendrik live with their 18-year-old daughter in Wolseley, in a house they owe six months' rent on. Apartheid's end brought changes in their lives they didn't expect, including Hendrik's retrenchment. While he mutely fights off poverty, his wife finds ways to cope that tear their marriage apart. The author brings a different perspective to apartheid's aftermath, introducing a "white" world riddled with hopelessness..." (Times Live)

©2014 J. John le Grange (P)2014 J. John le Grange
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Alan M Zeligson

Beautiful story and well nuerated ,however as I got into the story it ended without a conclusion which was disappointing .I am not sure if this was the original story .

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