Declare Containing Books The Syringa Tree
| Title | : | The Syringa Tree |
| Author | : | Pamela Gien |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 262 pages |
| Published | : | June 27th 2006 by Random House (first published January 2003) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Cultural. Africa. Southern Africa. South Africa. Historical. Historical Fiction. Book Club |
Relation As Books The Syringa Tree
In this heartrending and inspiring novel set against the gorgeous, vast landscape of South Africa under apartheid, award-winning playwright Pamela Gien tells the story of two families–one black, one white–separated by racism, connected by love.
Even at the age of six, lively, inquisitive Elizabeth Grace senses she’s a child of privilege, “a lucky fish.” Soothing her worries by raiding the sugar box, she scampers up into the sheltering arms of the lilac-blooming syringa tree growing behind the family’ s suburban Johannesburg home.
Lizzie’s closest ally and greatest love is her Xhosa nanny, Salamina. Deeper and more elemental than any traditional friendship, their fierce devotion to each other is charged and complicated by Lizzie’s mother, who suffers from creeping melancholy, by the stresses of her father’s medical practice, which is segregated by law, and by the violence, injustice, and intoxicating beauty of their country.
In the social and racial upheavals of the 1960s, Lizzie’s eyes open to the terror and inhumanity that paralyze all the nation’s cultures–Xhosa, Zulu, Jew, English, Boer. Pass laws requiring blacks to carry permission papers for white areas and stringent curfews have briefly created an orderly state–but an anxious one. Yet Lizzie’s home harbors its own set of rules, with hushed midnight gatherings, clandestine transactions, and the girl’s special task of protecting Salamina’s newborn child–a secret that, because of the new rules, must never be mentioned outside the walls of the house.
As the months pass, the contagious spirit of change sends those once underground into the streets to challenge the ruling authority. And when this unrest reaches a social and personal climax, the unthinkable will happen and forever change Lizzie’s view of the world.
When The Syringa Tree opened off-Broadway in 2001, theater critics and audiences alike embraced the play, and it won many awards. Pamela Gien has superbly deepened the story in this new novel, giving a personal voice to the horrors and hopes of her homeland. Written with lyricism, passion, and life-affirming redemption, this compelling story shows the healing of the heart of a young woman and the soul of a sundered nation.
Define Books During The Syringa Tree
| Original Title: | The Syringa Tree: A Novel |
| ISBN: | 0375507558 (ISBN13: 9780375507557) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Rating Containing Books The Syringa Tree
Ratings: 3.77 From 486 Users | 97 ReviewsColumn Containing Books The Syringa Tree
A way to become immersed in the complicated social dynamics of South Africa, by living with the Brits, the Jews, the Afrikaners and the tribal black South Africans in this story as it relates to the life of the author.Although this book started off rather slowly, and I wasn't sure that I would get into it, I did find myself liking it about halfway through. Elizabeth is a young white girl in South Africa, whose family employs black servants, and is in the midst of new government and apartheid. It was very interesting to hear her point of view, as a child, and then how she finally gives up on South Africa and emigrates after university. One aspect that really turned me off at the beginning of the book was Gien
This is absolutely the best book I have read in a long time! It seemed to reach in and grab me and never let go. It's the story of South Africa in the 60's, as told through the eyes of a young white girl. It is the tragedy of apartheid and the triumph and strength of human spirit over the pain and despair. It is also the most honest book I have read about this time period in South Africa's history. What I loved too was the memories it stirred up - the names of things I had long forgotten, the
This is one of those books where you think, amazing story, amazing place, evocative writing--so why do I feel so bad? Gien does such a good job of making the reader feel the dread and fear and beauty and ugliness of growing up in South Africa during apartheid that I was tempted to put it down. But I didn't, I'm glad I didn't, and you should read it. It's a fascinating read about a fascinating (but painful) time. And, of course, we know that things do improve for some. Others become statistics
IT Ended up being a little hard to follow. It was well written and an interesting story. IT might be because it was a play first and then she turned it into a novel. Because of the flow of it I gave it three stars but these are the things I liked about it ... Also there is a glossary at the end. I wish I would have known that when I started it.I just started this book and am only on page 50 but it is so descriptive I love it. I'm having some problems getting through all the South African terms
The first 100 pages or so of this book were a bit monotonous which made it easy to put the book down. It finally got interesting at about 150 pages. Would I recommend this book.umm, probably not, even though I gave it 3 stars. If you like books about South Africa, then I would recommend two books (true stories) by Alexandra Fuller, "Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight" and "Cocktail Hour Under The Tree Of Forgetfulness".
I made to around page 75 before I gave up. I just couldn't follow the story between the all the South African words I was confused as to what they were referring to (no clue there was a glossary in the back-stick it up front!) and the narration by a six-year-old. Lizzie's narration is so disjointed and choppy that I just couldn't stand it anymore. I really didn't like having the voice of a kindergartener narrate what I'm sure would be a compelling story of growing up during apartheid.
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