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Amber I am starting this one now so I can't say between all three, but have read both of the others, and I'd choose Homegoing over Underground Railroad for …moreI am starting this one now so I can't say between all three, but have read both of the others, and I'd choose Homegoing over Underground Railroad for a group. There are two drastically different styles of storytelling (although I feel both are very important stories): Underground for the most part stays with the main character Cora throughout the story, and Homegoing transitions through characters over a long period of time. The reason I would recommend Homegoing, especially for a white audience (I am white), is because I was constantly left wanting, wondering what happened to ____ as the the story progressed. But that's the whole point though. White generations have had their stories told and endings documented, and for the most part if you want to find out your genealogy you can do so. The stories of black generations for so long went unfinished. People would literally disappear without a trace. It's profound and devastating. And what I took away from this (and Underground Railroad, and The Fire this Time, and others like it) is that as a white person I will never understand the plight of descendants of African slaves, but it makes me self-aware of my own white privilege (which in the case of Homegoing is the fact that I can trace my ancestral heritage... without a prevalence of unthinkable violence). I think in a book group you couldn't go wrong with either of the two I've read. (less) Community Reviews· 9,727 ratings · 1,524 reviews Start your review of Hum If You Don't Know the Words
What this story does in alternating narratives is depict what was happening in the country reflected in the lives of two individuals. Robin is an adventurous 9 year old white English girl, who is caught in the horrific events created by racism when she loses her parents on the that fateful night of June 16, 1976. Beauty, a black woman, raising her children alone , finds out not
only that her daughter is missing, but that she is front and center in the uprising. It is what happens on that day that brings these two characters together. Beauty embarks on a clandestine search for her daughter while Robin is on a journey of her own seeking love and care. I found it to be beautifully written in parts. I read a prepublication copy so the final version may be different but I can't help but share at least one excerpt: There were a
couple of things that didn't make this perfect for me. I felt that at times the author tried too hard to get me to see her message of equality by including some lesser characters who were gay or Jewish and emphasizing that message , but the story itself was powerful enough without telling me . I also found the ending sequences with Robin somewhat unrealistic for a ten year old . Having said that the story has so much to offer - a learning experience for me, a fascinating albeit disturbing look
at apartheid, but also a study of grief and loss , family, love, friendship and bravery of the people , both black and white, fighting for equality. For me it's 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because even though I had a few reservations, I found it a worthy read . The end leaves room for maybe a continuation of the story and if that bears out in a sequel, I will definitely read it. I received an advanced copy of this book from G.P. Putnam's Sons/PenguinRandom House through Edelweiss. Some
information on the Soweto Uprising: http://www.newsweek.com/soweto-uprisi... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soweto_...
A book of unbearable loss, grief, sad and yet for the most part beautiful as well. South Africa apartheid, the Soweto uprising and a nine year old white girl caught up in the terror, as well as a Nineteen year old
black girl who wants to fight for the cause. This book is another that presented me with a conundrum. Loved the character of Robin, she provides most of the humor in her young innocence. Humor mixed with sadness as she has lost both her parents to murder on the night of the uprising. S This book is another that presented me with a conundrum. Loved the character of Robin, she provides most of the humor in her young innocence. Humor mixed with sadness as she has lost both her parents to murder on the night of the uprising. She now lives with her aunt, a childless flight attendant who is away quite often. Enter Beauty, a fifty year old black women who has left her sons, and
come to find her daughter, who was part of the uprising. She is now Robin's main caretaker as she searches for her daughter.There are some colorful support characters as well, a gay couple, a Jewish family with a young son Robin's age. The above which presented me with another slight nudge from my inner critic, maybe too stereotypical? Too much, too obvious. Yet, I did love the characters, all of them. Then we come to the last part of the stories and here I was presented with a loud voice
from said critic. Too over the top, too smaltzy, way too obvious the authors agenda, and too unrealistic. Robin in that type of situation would probably never have survived. This author quit trusting her readers and just laid it all out there in some unbelievable occurrences. Please understand I liked this book, for the most part. I learned much I didn't know about this part of the world and it's past, for most of the book I was leaning toward a higher rating, but the end of the book.....just
too obvious for me to overlook. ARC from publisher.
Jan 20, 2020 BernLuvsBooks rated it it was amazing ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This one gets all the
hearts/stars! What a story! This novel is set in Apartheid South Africa during the turbulent times of the Soweto Uprising. The time and setting play as pivotal a role in the unfolding of the story as the characters do. You are immersed in the prejudice, racism, tragedy and heartbreaking challenges of the time period. Beauty is a mother desperate to find and save her daughter, Nomsa, who has become caught up in the protests at Soweto. Robin is a young white girl wh This novel is set in Apartheid South Africa during the turbulent times of the Soweto Uprising. The time and setting play as pivotal a role in the unfolding of the story as the characters do. You are immersed in the prejudice, racism, tragedy and heartbreaking challenges of the time period. Beauty is a mother desperate to find and save her daughter, Nomsa, who has become
caught up in the protests at Soweto. Robin is a young white girl who loses her parents in a tragic way. The relationship between Beauty and Robin was breathtaking. I found myself immersed in their story - feeling so much
emotion. The secondary characters in their lives really brought so much richness to the novel. This book had me felling so much emotion. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I gasped out loud. All I can really say is that you haven't read Bianca Marais' books - read them! This is not my usual genre and I am so glad I went outside of my comfort zone for this gem. This will undoubtedly be one of my favorite books of 2020!
Aug 22, 2017 Cheri rated it liked it “Since June the 16th when South African troops and police opened fire on a peaceful school children’s demonstration, the white government has presided over the largest massacre of its black population since South Africa came into existence. The school boy who
led that day’s protest was 19 year old Tsietsi Mashinini.” The story that runs through the many layers of this story is set in Ap “Since June the 16th when South African troops and police opened fire on a peaceful
school children’s demonstration, the white government has presided over the largest massacre of its black population since South Africa came into existence. The school boy who led that day’s protest was 19 year old Tsietsi Mashinini.” The story that runs through the many layers of this
story is set in Apartheid South Africa around the time of the Soweto Uprising, the level of racism prevalent. Beauty, a mother who is desperate to find her daughter, Nomsa, a young girl caught up in the protests at Soweto who has seemingly disappeared since day of the uprising. Beauty arrives in Soweto, hears the shooting, and runs to the schoolyard to find Nomsa. Another young girl, Robin, whose parents go out to dinner one evening, dressed in their finest. ”13 JUNE 1976
Boksburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Robin’s parents never return from that dinner, will never return. The police come to take her to their headquarters, with Robin is still in her nightclothes, her head spinning with overheard words,
phrases…blood… slit throats… but no one really has talked to her. No one has told her. Robin is still a child, and so she goes to live with her aunt Edith, which creates a problem for single Edith, who, as a flight attendant (although being the mid-70s her title would have been stewardess or air hostess) is frequently gone overnight and longer. A search for a helper to care for Robin in her absence brings Beauty to their life. I had wanted to read this because it is based in South
Africa, which was my father’s route for many years, flying from New York to Johannesburg for most of those flights, but not all. I always loved hearing his stories about the things he saw, but he didn’t talk as much about the uglier side of life there. Often he would stay at the home of one of his pilot buddies that were based there and stay for a while, refining his photography skills on all the nature that flourished around their home, and those photographs made their way up on the walls in
our home, so for much of my life I was surrounded by these photographs. I wanted to like this story more than I did, or perhaps it’s more accurate to say I enjoyed much of the story, but I felt that the author tackled so many different avenues of prejudice in one story that I felt that the racial prejudice of the Soweta Uprising was watered down somewhat by the inclusion of character(s) whose only reason seemed to be to include a side story of another variation of prejudice. What I
loved most was the character of Beauty, a schoolteacher before this story really begins, before she sets out on her journey to find her daughter. Through her eyes, you see Soweto, the uprising, the horror of it, her fear, her overwhelming need to find her daughter. When she comes to take care of the young Robin, you see more of her strength and her poise combined with her understanding of children, their thoughts and needs. I also really loved how imperfect Robin was drawn, although she is a
child whose world is turned upside down, she is far from perfect. ”What greater gift can you give another than to say: I see you, I hear you, and you are not alone?”
The Hook - The author herself hands down. I attended a weekend event called Booktopia at one of the best independent bookstores, Northshire, in Manchester, VT. I was looking forward
to meeting and hear speak, Chloe Benjamin, author of The Immortalists,one of my favorite books of 2018. Imagine my disappointment when she had to cancel due to illness. The author, taking her place, Bianca Marais. Bianca Marais, never heard of her. Oh, but was I in for a treat. Ms. Marais turned out to be one of the The Hook - The author herself hands down. I attended a weekend event called Booktopia at one of the best independent
bookstores, Northshire, in Manchester, VT. I was looking forward to meeting and hear speak, Chloe Benjamin, author of The Immortalists,one of my favorite books of 2018. Imagine my disappointment when she had to cancel due to illness. The author, taking her place, Bianca Marais. Bianca Marais, never heard of her. Oh, but was I in for a treat. Ms. Marais turned out to be one of the best speakers, a friendly, warm, globally aware woman, who was also funny, and darn good at trivia. I bought
her debut book, Hum If You Don't Know The Words. What took me so long to read it? It's just the way the TBR pile crumbles. The Line - There were many that I cherish so I will deviate from my usual one line and quote three: ”What greater gift can you give another than to say: I see you, I hear you, and you are not alone?” ”I knew the language of sorrow, my body had spoken it many times and I knew how shamed she was by the tears she did not want to cry. It
didn't matter that the difference in our skin color separated us more than the span of the forty years that stretched out between us, I recognized myself. The Sinker - Bianca Marais includes a glossary, very helpful for words I did not know. I was able to look up many unfamiliar terms used in South Africa, the locale of her book. Even with this, I was only on page 2 when I had to stop to jump up and search the net to find the Hadeda Bird that distracted one of the twins playing,
I think, a game of hopscotch. The bird's loud, raucous call was the cause. Just in case the tiniest details such as this drive you to your computer, let me save you the time. Hadeda or Hadada Ibis . Getting back to the book. This dual narrated story begins on June 13, 1976 in Boksburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, as Robin, the twin not distracted, soon to celebrate her 10th
birthday, writes that number in the top square of the grid. It is an innocent scene but one in which there is a precarious balance between that innocence in the game that is played and the reality of the ”apartness” soon to come. The other half of this narrative is Beauty Mbali , a Xhosa woman, forced to remain in Johannesburg when her daughter, Nomsa, goes missing after a brutal protest that leaves some dead in its bloody wake. How the paths of these two unlikely people cross, one
ten year old white girl living the privilege of the apartheid-era, the other, a poor but educated teacher, trying to eke out a living for herself and her children in a small village far away, is something you will have to discover for yourself. You know how I dislike telling you the whole story. I'm pleased to also note that Marais' second book,
Hum if You Don't Know the Words is a novel set in 1975-76 South Africa, with the Soweto Uprising as the linchpin that brings the two main characters together and sets in motion the events of the novel. While the writing is
fairly strong overall, I would only rate this 2.5 stars (rounded down to be an "it was ok" overall rating) because one of the perspectives is far superior to the other, and the ending seemed implausible and somewhat inauthentic, which changed my opinion from a solid 3 star to Hum if You Don't Know the Words is a novel set in 1975-76 South Africa, with the Soweto Uprising as the linchpin that brings the two main characters together and
sets in motion the events of the novel. While the writing is fairly strong overall, I would only rate this 2.5 stars (rounded down to be an "it was ok" overall rating) because one of the perspectives is far superior to the other, and the ending seemed implausible and somewhat inauthentic, which changed my opinion from a solid 3 star to a more lukewarm rating. The novel is told from two perspectives. Beauty, a Xhosa schoolteacher, is a very well drawn character. I was immersed in her
story line and character from the beginning, especially since it's told first person present tense so I felt real immediacy with her thoughts and emotions: from her perspective, the reader is on the front lines of the Soweto Uprising, and I had great sympathy and admiration for her decision to leave her young sons in the care of family and move illegally to Johannesburg to track down her freedom fighter daughter who disappeared after the protest turned deadly. Marais avoids traps and potential
backlash that other books like The Help (to which this is compared) fell into, in terms of how the black protagonists are given voices and written in such a way as to sound/seem inferior: Beauty's inner strength, her serene but sharp intellect, and the depth of her emotional understanding are all very well presented. She's a fully realized character, and
we see just how dignified and powerful she can be as she takes on a domestic position to care for the fragile Robin in a gentle, firm manner (that enables her to have a pass to stay in Johannesburg while searching for her daughter). By contrast, I never fully connected with Robin as a character or narrator. I think my main issue was that her daily tales weren't as urgent or compelling as Beauty's, but there was also a stylistic choice that increased distance with that character. Robin is
10 years old during the main story and her perspective is told in first person past tense, but her perspective, voice, reflections and thoughts shift haphazardly between the ten-year-old Robin and the adult Robin looking back on the events of the novel. Robin's fragility and fear of desertion following the murder of her parents (in a random act of black vengeance following the Soweto Uprising) are presented well, but I didn't get as much of the rest of her fledgling personality before or after
that horrific event. So I never felt as immersed in her emotions and thoughts as I did Beauty's, especially because it would swing from those of a child to an adult who had long processed these events within the same paragraph. I did think Marais did a very good job of showing agency and empowerment and friendship in 1970s South Africa across a large and diverse backdrop of main and secondary characters. And though I found Beauty's perspective more interesting overall, when her story and
Robin's aligned in the second half of the novel, I was really chugging along and enjoying what I was reading. Robin and Beauty's daily lives in Edith's Johannesburg flat and the dinner parties with friends reveal the less known plight and discrimination of homosexuals and Jews in South Africa, and the tense, creepy exchanges Beauty has with varying shadowy figures in the pursuit of her daughter are written nicely. I thought this would be a three star review right up until I arrived at the climax
and conclusion of the novel. Robin makes a critical, selfish decision, and then reveals her error with devastating consequences for Beauty. Robin's motivation for making that choice were well understood from her earlier circumstances and fear of alienation and desertion. What bothered me was the ensuing path to redemption and resolution. (view spoiler)[ Robin, this fragile, ten year old white child, commandeers a drunk Colored man to drive her into a dangerous area of
Johannesburg, confront a group of African freedom fighters, speaks Xhosa to them and does a traditional dance to convince them of her honesty and goodness, then finds Beauty's daughter in a different home, gets her to come back with her, evades a dangerous leader/gangster Shakes who shoots at them (hide spoiler)]. It felt very improbable that this sequence of events could actually occur, and while prior I felt Marais had been very even handed with agency and power, at the final
hour Robin assumes the role of white hero to bring Beauty's daughter to her senses and reunite mother and daughter. (view spoiler)[ We're even left hanging as to Beauty's fate and how her reunion with her beloved daughter turns out: it's from Robin's perspective and she just cuts the scene off and runs to her absentee aunt Edith, suddenly now her true home. (hide spoiler)] Overall, the ending left a less pleasant taste in my mouth, both because of how far-fetched it
seemed to be (it really felt like something out of a political thriller albeit with a ten year old in the starring role) and because I felt more justice could and should have been done to the ending of Beauty's story, instead of sidelining her dramatically to let Robin save the day. Ultimately, I have read and will read much stronger South African-set fiction and nonfiction: this was just ok, and I'd never re-read it or pass on to anyone I know personally. The blurb does compare this title
to The Help: if you liked Stockett's book and have interest in apartheid era South Africa, this could be a read for you (though I found the overall writing better in The Help than in this one). But I'd prioritize other titles dealing with similar subject matter first.
Dec 10, 2016 Caroline rated it it was amazing As I read Hum If You Don’t Know The Words, I cried in my bed, laughed on the subway and nodded in agreement in the passport-office lounge. I often wished I could pause and tell someone – anyone nearby – about what I was reading at that particular moment. There were so
many beautiful passages. Marais’ language is perfect; it is accessible and at the same time, rich. My top contender for favourite line in the book is: “… tears are neither black nor white; they are the quicksilver of our emotional I often wished I could pause and tell someone – anyone nearby – about what I
was reading at that particular moment. There were so many beautiful passages. Marais’ language is perfect; it is accessible and at the same time, rich. My top contender for favourite line in the book is: “… tears are neither black nor white; they are the quicksilver of our emotional turmoil and their salt flavors our pain equally.” It was hard to believe this is a debut novel. There was wit and thoughtfulness and warmth throughout bringing the two main narrators, Beauty and Robin, to life.
Usually, I end up preferring one voice to the other with this type of narration, but I genuinely cared for each of them. I was equally swept up in both plotlines. Every character was lively, complex and vital. Storytelling, by and large, calls for a certain suspension of disbelief (that’s one of the most magical things about fiction) and in parts of this novel that is required. But overall, this is a balanced, humorous, poignant tale about some of the most timeless and heartbreaking subject
matter possible. There were no lulls. And the ending left me with hope that not only is Hum If You Don’t Know The Words going to be a book that moves people, but that we might be moved again by these characters in the future.
There are some good books that you read once and pass on but occasionally you find one which you can read over and over.
I have reread this book 3 times and each time I gain a little more from it. This has to be one of my favourite books of all times and each time I read it, I love it more and more. The imagery throughout the book is powerful and the author uses language so skillfully that there are passages that I have marked and keep going back to. The imagery throughout the book is powerful and the author uses language so skillfully that there are passages that I have marked and keep going back to. I particularly love the blend of languages and cultures that gives the reader a glimpse of the rich cultural diversity of South Africa, which is named the Rainbow nation for this reason.
South Africa has 11 official languages and Marais is so skilled at blending in very colourful bits of this language throughout the book. Despite great heartbreak and tragedy, the book is balanced with humour and wit. I found myself laughing and crying and not able to put it down.
Full review is up on
https://booknationbyjen.wordpress.com. Loved this book! Hum If You Don’t Know The Words is one of my current favorite debuts! In 1976 apartheid South Africa where racism was a way of life, we meet Robin, a 9 yr old white girl who was daughter to a miner and his wife. Robin’s father did not always treat blacks fairly and, tragically, both parents were murdered, leaving the little girl alone. Then we
meet Beauty, a 50 year old, educated, black, single mother of 3; 2 teenage boy Hum If You Don’t Know The Words is one of my current favorite debuts! In 1976 apartheid South Africa where racism was a way of life, we meet Robin, a 9 yr old white girl who was daughter to a miner
and his wife. Robin’s father did not always treat blacks fairly and, tragically, both parents were murdered, leaving the little girl alone. Then we meet Beauty, a 50 year old, educated, black, single mother of 3; 2 teenage boys living with her in a small village and a daughter who had been living with a relative’s family so she could study in the city. When Beauty finds out her daughter has run away to train for the resistance and she is in danger, she travels to the city to find her. Young
Robin exhibits incredible coping skills she has developed since she was a baby and despite the culture of the country’s environment and being left without her beloved family, she has an open mind looking to receive love and wholeheartedly willing to give. Through circumstances and the kindness of Robin’s aunt, a woman at the library and the social worker, all strong, independent women with good intentions and love and acceptance in their hearts, two unlikely South Africans’ lives become
intertwined; Robin and Beauty come to rely on each other. Family is everything to Beauty and she is focused trying to bring her daughter home, but she sees the void in Robin’s life and steps in to fulfill her needs, becoming attached in her own way. Inequality breeds strife and respect feeds strength, support and positivity. Marais does a wonderful job telling a grueling South African apartheid story while showing the beauty and resilience of all types of women and the way they connect to
help each other survive. I loved Bianca Marais’s writing and the structure of this phenomenal debut book; chapters have alternating narrators with dates and locations to keep the chronology clear. I was 9 years old in 1976 and I am 50 now so I felt a special connection with both of the main characters and appreciated their depth. Both had experienced so much in their unique lifetimes and they are fully round, and richly expressed. These powerful women roll models create unlikely
friendships and develop relationships that transcend race, built on love and the need to be loved. According to the author, there is more to this story of Robin and Beauty and I am excited to see when the next book will be published.
A suspenseful family drama that turns into a thriller. The novel is set in 1976 in South Africa. After her parents are murdered, Robin, a 9 yr
old child, is sent to Johannesburg to live with her only relative, her deceased mother’s wild, carefree, single sister Edith, who never in her wildest dreams banked on, or ever wanted to a child. Working as an airline stewardess further complicates the situation. Robin is a worldly child who plays at being a detective (think ‘Harriet the Spy’), while Beauty is a trained teacher who has become caught up in an extremely dangerous situation
because of her daughter. While I enjoyed the book for the most part, it does have a few issues. At one point Robin is placed in a very dangerous situation that I found stretched credulity. Also the author inserts many African words that are never translated, and because I know absolutely nothing about the language, I couldn’t even guess at their meanings. Rather than spend time looking them all up, I just skipped over all of them. However, the words made no difference to the understanding
or overall readability of the story. Considering that the author was raised in South Africa, I was surprised at all of the sterotypes. However, I did enjoy the setting, learning more about South Africa, the people, and their customs. I also learned more about the appalling of treatment of the citizens, the conditions of where they lived and worked. Overall, this book is a bit of a kitchen sink stew, but ultimately I did enjoy the suspenseful aspects of the story that included
numerous secrets, subterfuge & clandestine networks. 3.5 ⭐️
What a
wonderful surprise this book was! The title and cover attracted me to the book and that combined with some great reviews from Goodreads friends made me anxious to read it. I was granted an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. I was a mother with young children at the time of apartheid and though I of course knew what going on in South Africa I didn’t at that time dig deeper and/or read much about it, there just wasn’t time. The book takes place in the mid-1970’s. This book is about
a I was a mother with young children at the time of apartheid and though I of course knew what going on in South Africa I didn’t at that time dig deeper and/or read much about it, there just wasn’t time. The
book takes place in the mid-1970’s. This book is about a 9 year old white girl from South Africa who has to deal with the death of her parents. But that is just the beginning of the struggles for Robin. She is taken in by a loving and caring aunt, Edith, who is a flight attendant and she tries to quit her job and just take care of Robin but that just made her unhappy and depressed. She goes back to work but hires an older black woman named Beauty to watch Robin when she is away. Beauty is
in the city trying to find her daughter who was caught up in the rioting during the first days of apartheid and is now missing. Both points of view were equally interesting and extremely well written. I felt that I could understand some of what Beauty might feel being a mom myself, but of course nothing would equal the things that she experiences and the truths that she discovers. Robin’s point of view is at times very sad and at other times she is enveloped in the kindness of so many
peripheral characters who step up to “mother” Robin. There are many wonderful characters including the Goldman’s, a couple who have helped to smuggle Jews out of troubled areas and a homosexual couple who loved to host parties but had a soft spot in their hearts for Robin. There is even a social worker, Wilhelmina, who is assigned to make sure that Robin is being cared for properly, this character showed so much growth during the story. This is also a coming of age book for Robin and she
has to “unlearn” many of the things she had been taught by her parents and friends. The Afrikaners, including her parents, were united in their hatred of Jews, blacks and homosexuals. Through her relationships that revolve around Edith and her apartment she meets Jews and homosexuals and Beauty, her live in caretaker, who is black. Both Robin and Beauty find a love growing between each other that seems surprising to both of them. I am making this book sound much simpler than it is. It is
rich in beautiful prose and well developed characters. It is atmospheric in the description of the riots, destruction and loss of life during Apartheid. It is multi-layered and just a wonderful experience to read! This is a great book and I will look forward to what this brilliant author has to write next.
Jul 09, 2017 Tania rated it really liked it
Update: July 2022. I finished this book 2 months ago and I still find myself thinking about it. Today I was asked what my favorite book lately and this was the first one that popped in my head.
I went back and read some other people’s reviews and was reminded of how great this book was to me. 1970’s South Africa- a scary and oppressive place to be as a person with the “wrong” color skin or even a person with the “right color” skin but the the “wrong” morals and ethics, or loving the “wrong” peop 1970’s South Africa- a scary and oppressive place to be as a person with the “wrong” color skin or even a person with the “right color” skin but the the “wrong” morals and ethics, or loving the “wrong” people. The laws of apartheid were so ugly and evil- I have always known this, but reading this helped me to understand even more details
about it. The 1976 Soweto uprising is how the story of 10 year old Robin and 50 year old Beauty starts. They are very different people from very different circumstances and you will get to know them through the chapters that are written from each of their points of view. They will come together with the help of a very special lady called “The White Angel” and they will slowly become each other’s family as the story is told. If you’re looking for a book that you will enjoy for the
story, and the characters, and the writing- this is it.
Sep 28, 2017 Bianca rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) I've read this
book more than a dozen times. Probably closer to three dozen times. And I have to say... I think it's not without its charm ;-) This review from Boswell Book Company is one of my favourites: "It is better than (The Help or The Secret Life of Bees) because it has a lot of sensitivity reading and is aware of what the moment is," Goldin says. "This is not a white savior narrative, this is about two people, and if anyone makes mistakes, it is the little girl." (The five star review is
me This review from Boswell Book Company is one of my favourites: "It is better than (The Help or The Secret Life of Bees) because it has a lot of sensitivity reading and is aware of what the moment is," Goldin says. "This is not a white savior narrative, this is about two people, and if anyone
makes mistakes, it is the little girl." (The five star review is meant to be a joke 😉)
Just before starting this book I thought that the publishers really should have released this book on 16 June, which is Youth Day in South Africa, commemorating the Soweto Uprising. However
now that I am done I realise that the book didn’t really focus on this event, but mostly used it as a point of reference for the story. There are two narrators, Beauty, a Xhosa school teacher who comes to Johannesburg looking for her daughter who participated in the Soweto protests. She later finds Just before starting this book I thought that the publishers really should have released this book on 16 June, which is Youth
Day in South Africa, commemorating the Soweto Uprising. However now that I am done I realise that the book didn’t really focus on this event, but mostly used it as a point of reference for the story. There are two narrators, Beauty, a Xhosa school teacher who comes to Johannesburg looking for her daughter who participated in the Soweto protests. She later finds out that not only did Nomsa participate in this fateful march but she was one of the leaders. Casting one of the narrators
as a child adds the feeling of innocence in a country where white people were anything but innocent. Robin is a 9-year-old white girl living with her sister Cat and parents in a mining community in Boksburg. When her parents get brutally killed on the night of 16 June her whole life unravels. I found Beauty’s narrative wonderful, engaging and poignant. Describing the difficult choices a mother must make in a country that does not allow her to keep her family together. Robin’s story
also had some touching moments but her part of the narration was mostly used to create humour. For some reason, I expected this to be a more serious book, perhaps because of the time period chosen. The Soweto uprising and Umkonto we Sizwe was a turbulent time in SA for all races. I live in Johannesburg and the antics that Robin got up to towards the end of the story is not only very improbable but borders on the ridiculous. Because of this the story lost a star from me. BUT if you
go into this story wanting to learn a little about this period in SA with the understanding that this is meant to be a feel-good tale then I think you will enjoy it. This author has undeniable talent and I will most definitely read her next book. Expected publish date 11 July 2017
A TRUE GEM! Highly recommend! A beautifully written novel about apartheid — tragedy. racism + injustice. survival. Set in 1970’s apartheid-era South Africa.. this is the story of Robin Conrad, a 10 year old white child and Beauty Mbali, a black mother whom (after the Soweto student
uprising) meet under extreme circumstance + loss. They face heartbreaking challenges while seeking answers A beautifully written novel about apartheid — tragedy. racism + injustice. survival. Set in 1970’s apartheid-era South Africa.. this is the story of Robin Conrad, a 10 year old white child
and Beauty Mbali, a black mother whom (after the Soweto student uprising) meet under extreme circumstance + loss. They face heartbreaking challenges while seeking answers during those turbulent times, forming a loving and emotional bond to one another. I enjoyed the excellent secondary characters that help pull this story together. Unputdownable so grab the Kleenex and be ready to sit a spell! A 5 Star EYE-OPENER for me. Born A Crime would be a fantastic companion to this book.
[3.4] Set in South Africa, the story of a 10 year old white girl and an Xhosa school teacher is excellent at times. I was engrossed in Beauty's search for her daughter and appreciated learning about the Soweto uprising. Robin is a less convincing character - her voice fluctuated from adult to child and I felt detached from her. The ending is nicely wrapped up but too improbable to be comforting. What I
would have loved to read is a novel with the voices of mother and daughter - Beauty and Nomsa. What I would have loved to read is a novel with the voices of mother and daughter - Beauty and Nomsa. Marais hinted at the contradictions Nomsa was facing in her fight for justice and their two journeys would be a fascinating juxtaposition.
Every now and again, a book comes along and crawls under your skin, burrows into your heart and hibernates with you for weeks. This was one of those books for me. This stunning debut novel by South African-born author Bianca Marais is set in South Africa, during the devastating Apartheid regime. Expertly narrated through the perspectives of two characters from different worlds, the story unfolds with lightning pace and is brought to life with heart-wrenching emotion. Marais perfectly captures a Every now and again, a book comes along and crawls under your skin, burrows into your heart and hibernates with you for weeks. This was one of those books for me. This stunning debut novel by South African-born author Bianca Marais is set in South Africa, during the devastating Apartheid regime. Expertly narrated through the perspectives of two characters from different worlds, the story unfolds with lightning pace and is brought to life with heart-wrenching emotion. Marais perfectly captures a child’s naïve experience of the effects of Apartheid and juxtaposes this against the wounded yet resilient perspective of an adult affected by the atrocities of the time. As they work on picking up the pieces of their broken lives, Robin and Beauty forge an unusual and touching bond, and as their characters evolve, so does our understanding of the events unfolding against the backdrop of a horrific time in South Africa’s history. Sadness and tension are expertly offset by humor, which is interwoven throughout this complex tapestry, making it all the more readable and relatable. Unforgettable characters and eloquent prose manage to bring to life South Africa’s rich landscape and resilient and brave people. If you read one book this year, it has to be Hum If You Don’t Know the Words. ...more
Jul 03, 2017 Faith rated it really liked it "Night settles swiftly. If you are vigilant, and not prone to
distractions, you can almost feel the very moment daylight slips through your fingers and leaves you clutching the inky sap that is the sub-Saharan night. It is a sharp exhalation at the closing of day, a sigh of relief." That is South Africa. Unfortunately, South Africa could also be described during Apartheid as: "There is a river of blood in the street and the children are floating in it. They lie in unnatural shapes, limbs bent at "Night settles
swiftly. If you are vigilant, and not prone to distractions, you can almost feel the very moment daylight slips through your fingers and leaves you clutching the inky sap that is the sub-Saharan night. It is a sharp exhalation at the closing of day, a sigh of relief." That is South Africa. Unfortunately, South Africa could also be described during Apartheid as: "There is a river of blood in the street and the children are floating in it. They lie in unnatural shapes, limbs bent at awkward
angles. Some of them are face-down, drowning, while others lie on their backs gazing up at the sky; they are human debris swept along in a flood of distraction." This was a moving story told from the alternating points of view of two South Africans in 1976/7 who were trying to maintain their families. Robin Conrad was a nine year old white girl whose parents were killed in Boksburg, Johannesburg, South Africa by some black men after a peaceful student demonstration turned into a riot. Robin
was taken in by her aunt Edith who was her only relative. Edith was a flight attendant who did not easily give up her child-free life. Beauty Mbali was a black 49 year old teacher who had to leave her two young sons, Luxolo and Khwezi, behind to try to rescue her teenaged daughter, Nomsa, in Johannesburg where she had gone to be educated in Soweto. Nomsa disappeared after the riots and Beauty refused to go home until she found her. Beauty didn't have permission to be in Johannesburg and didn't
have the proper identity papers, so she needed to find work taking care of Robin while Edith traveled. I liked learning a little about life in South Africa during Apartheid. The Afrikaners had not gotten over losing the Boer War to the British, who had imprisoned Afrikaners in concentration camps. The British and Afrikaners may not have liked each other very much, but they were united in their hatred of blacks, Jews and homosexuals. As Robin spent time with Edith and Beauty she learned
that blacks, Jews and homosexuals are actually human beings too, which seems to have been a difficult concept for most South Africans. The chapters from the point of view of Beauty seemed slightly more realistic as she risked her life to relentlessly search for her daughter and at the same time developed a loving relationship with Robin. The Robin chapters were most believable when they dealt with her grief, loneliness, fears and love of Beauty. They were less believable when she turned
into a miniature Nancy Drew and carried out her own investigations. Overall however, I really liked these characters, so much so that I want to know what happened to them after the book ended. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Finished in a day. A beautiful woven story full of tenderness, suspense and quick-wit that will have you on the edge of tears one moment and dabbing them away from laughter the next. A refreshing bright and thoughtful debut.
I’m humming because I have no words. This book is simply amazing - just pick it up.
Jan 27, 2017 Emily rated it it was amazing It's been quite a while since I developed a crush for a book like I did with Marais' debut. Probably not since The Help, or Little Bee, or Secret Life of Bees... Hum If You Don't Know the Words was just the reminder I needed that in the midst of hate and chaos, simple
acts of love and kindness at the personal level will turn the tide. How relevant and reassuring given the times we find ourselves in today. The characters are moving, their arcs of transformation beautifully crafted from beginning t The characters are moving, their arcs of transformation beautifully crafted from beginning to end, each so unique but facing struggles that make them entirely relatable. I could see myself in people that are nothing like me. And now I must visit South Africa, for it too became a character
jumping from the pages with its vivid contrasts and cultures. This is already on my bookclub's list for 2017, and since there are 11 of us, it's very rare that we ever have a unanimous view. But I am sure this will be a hit for all of us -- there are precocious moments of hilarity, heart-wrenching moments of loss and grief, redemptive moments of truth and light, and everything in between. It's hard to believe this is Marais' first novel, but for certain it won't be her last. I am
already waiting for a sequel so I can follow the rest of this compelling story!
Three things I loved about this book: As you can see, I really wanted to love this book but it felt short in certain areas for me. The characters Beauty and Robin were very colourful. I loved how the author portrayed them as strong and brave As you can see, I really wanted to love this book but it felt short in certain areas for me. The characters Beauty and Robin were very colourful. I loved how the author portrayed them as strong and brave women. However, I felt a lot was lacking in terms of the focus of the plot, too much was happening and too fast. I would have loved
to read novel that was about Beauty, how she came to be a teacher and what her sons were like. At certain points I questioned Robin's voice which fluctuated between a 10 year old's voice and a 25 year old voice. There is also the ending which I felt was entirely too rushed, very unbelievable and at some points eye-rolling. The author really lost me at the last 100 pages. I must say, this was a good debut and I am looking forward to Marais's sophomore work.
Just finished "HUM IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE WORDS" and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the title; how many times have I heard that growing up in a church choir and music classes at school? And, for the book
where language played a huge role, it had a special meaning.
I had the pleasure of meeting Bianca Marais at a book event I attended in Vermont. She was a fill in author as one of the others had to cancel due to illness. She was a wonderful addition & her story & her book where captivating. The book is told in 2 voices, one being
Robin, a nine year old privileged, sheltered white child who lives in Johannesburg with her family....she is precocious & at this young age so is only exposed to the life her family lives & only knows what she hears & sees in her s The book is told in 2 voices, one being Robin, a nine year old privileged, sheltered white child who lives in Johannesburg with her family....she is precocious & at this young age so is only exposed to the life her family lives & only knows what she hears & sees in her small world. The other voice is
from Beauty, a black teacher who lives in Transkei....she must travel to Soweto to check in on her high school aged daughter who seems to be in some type of trouble. Things take a turn for the worse for both of these people on the day of the student uprising in Soweto....they come together in a way that they never would otherwise & we see how this child learns so much in a year & we follow Robin & Beauty as they learn from each other & from others around them. I know
very little about apartheid & this historical fiction only gives a small snippet but after hearing Bianca's own words talking about her childhood in South Africa & reading Robin & Beauty's words on these pages, I want to read more.... A wonderful debut book & I look forward to more!
Recommended to me by a friend who started to read more during Covid. Having never heard of this author or her books before I had no idea what to expect. What a grand surprise this was for me! Oh my! I love the writing style – so easy to read. 1976/77 South Africa – apartheid is the law of the land. Nine year old Robin’s English parents have been murdered and her black maid with whom she had a close bond has taken off in fear. Robin must now live with her single working air hostess aunt who is not Recommended to me by a friend who started to read more during Covid. Having never heard of this author or her books before I had no idea what to expect.What a grand surprise this was for me! Oh my! I love the writing style – so easy to read. 1976/77 South Africa – apartheid is the law of the land. Nine year old Robin’s English parents have been murdered and her black maid with whom she had a close bond has taken off in fear. Robin must now live with her single working air hostess aunt who is not equipped to care for a child. Beauty is an educated black woman, a teacher, whose daughter has left home to go to school but got herself involved in the Soweto Uprising and is now missing. Beauty leaves her village to search for her daughter but has little success. Fate or something like it have brought these two together making for a very emotional journey as Robin learns that what she has been told about black people all her life is rubbish and Beauty finds that there are white people who can be trusted. I have to mention my complete excitement finding a reference to “Sugar Man” Rodriguez. (Pg.157) If you don’t know who that is you have to look it up!! Hate of an entire group of people is born of ignorance and it is blasphemy to claim it has anything to do with religion – when I read crap like this which was spoken by the minister at the funeral of Robin’s parents: “Now, the bible tells us very clearly that we whites are the blessed descendants of Japhet and the blacks are the cursed descendants of Ham. They are the ‘lowest of slaves’.” (Pg.132) I can’t help but wonder what hope is there for the human race??? I loved this book. I loved the characters. I loved Robin’s 9-year old voice. And I can’t wait to read the next book by this author: “If you want to make God laugh”. ...more
Jun 30, 2018 Camie rated it really liked it A book about love and loss in Apartheid South Africa. On the day of the Soweto Uprising, a protest by black students which ignites racial conflict in Johannesburg, Robin Conrad a nine year old white
girl loses both her parents and Beauty Mbali a Xhosa woman from a nearby rural area learns that her daughter Nomsa one of the young students is missing.
May 16, 2018 Jo Ann rated it it was amazing I love historical fiction that grabs me and doesn't let go until I have found out more about the true history I have been reading...this book did just that, and hasn't let go. Even though I've read Nelson Mandela's biography, this brought apartheid in South Africa right in my face, and I am still goggling about what's going on there, about the uprising in Soweto, etc. The author, Bianca Marais, was a fill-in for an ill author at Booktopia in Manchester, Vermont, week before last, and she hooked I love historical fiction that grabs me and doesn't let go until I have found out more about the true history I have been reading...this book did just that, and hasn't let go. Even though I've read Nelson Mandela's biography, this brought apartheid in South Africa right in my face, and I am still goggling about what's going on there, about the uprising in Soweto, etc. The author, Bianca Marais, was a fill-in for an ill author at Booktopia in Manchester, Vermont, week before last, and she hooked me on the story of 9 year old, white, privileged, Robin, and 50 year old, black, Beauty Mbali, a Xhosa poor woman attempting to find her daughter. Their stories are beautiful and intertwined...the author has done an excellent job of speaking for both, who represent their societies. I loved listening to the author's lovely South African accent, and would have eagerly listened for hours more from her...but I loved what she has penned. This book is real, ugly, beautiful, and hopeful. ...more
May 15, 2018 Karen rated it it was amazing I attended a book event in Vermont earlier this month and one of the
authors to speak was supposed to be Chloe Benjamin author of The Immortalists. Last minute she cancelled due to illness and Bianca Marais took her place. I'm so very glad she did!!! This book was amazing, the characters of Robin and Beauty are so special and I hated to finish this book. I read for pleasure but I also read to learn about our world. I enjoy learning through Historical Fiction. South Africa in 1976 is a place I ne I attended a book
event in Vermont earlier this month and one of the authors to speak was supposed to be Chloe Benjamin author of The Immortalists. Last minute she cancelled due to illness and Bianca Marais took her place. I'm so very glad she did!!! This book was amazing, the characters of Robin and Beauty are so special and I hated to finish this book. I read for pleasure but I also read to learn about our world. I enjoy learning through Historical Fiction. South Africa in 1976 is a place I new little about. I
can't wait for the next book by Bianca!!!! Please pick up this book you will not be sorry.
Jul 18, 2017 Meredith rated it really liked it What a beautiful and heart-wrenching story! This book is set
in Apartheid-Era South Africa and follows two characters whose paths should never have crossed, but due to tragic circumstances they end up becoming some of the most important people in each other's lives. I can't believe this is a debut book! I hope there's a second book planned, because I need more Robin and Beauty in my life! (And I need to learn more South African history!) Thanks, Putnam, for the Advanced Copy! Thanks, Putnam, for the Advanced Copy! Bianca Marais hosts the popular podcast, 'The Shit No One Tells You About Writing', which is aimed at emerging writers/aspiring authors. She teaches creative writing through
the podcast and at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies where she was named the winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing in 2021. Before becoming an author, she volunteered in Soweto w Before becoming an author, she volunteered in Soweto where she assisted care workers with providing aid for HIV/AIDS orphans and their caregivers. Bianca champions the Own Voices movement in her country of birth, South Africa, where she runs the Eunice Ngogodo Own Voices Initiative to encourage and empower women of colour to tell their own stories. News & InterviewsIt’s hard to believe the year 2022 is already coming to an end. That went fast, didn’t it? Still, there’s just enough time to wedge in a... “I didn’t know what to say in a world where people were hated and attacked for not being the right color, not speaking the right language, not worshipping the right god or not loving the right people; a world where hatred was the common language, and bricks, the only words.” — 9 likes “I don't know this song. They haven't taught me it to us at school." Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. What is the Book Hum If You Don t Know the Words about?About Hum If You Don't Know the Words
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.
Where is Bianca Marais from?Listen to interviews and podcasts in which she talks about growing up in South Africa, as well as what inspired her to write her novels.
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