I
think this may be the first graphic novel I have read. I was
impressed by the impact of combined text and illustrations.
This
book gives readers a sense of the tension South Africans were
experiencing in the mid-1990s. Mandela had been released from prison
in 1990 and the first post-apartheid elections were set to take place
in 1994. The whites feared reprisal and made ready a militia. A
retired general from the South African military, Constand Viljoen,
was asked to lead them.
As
the book vividly portrays, it looked like violence would ensue.
Mandela proposed meeting secretly with Viljoen. How those two would
interact would set the stage for the future of South Africa.
I
recommend this book to readers as a good way to get insights into the
time of transition for South Africa. The text gives the flavor of the
feelings of those involved. The illustrations are great, adding an
impact one could not experience with text alone. This was a deadly
time and some of the illustrations portray murderous scenes. A
timeline has been included at the end of the book as well as a short
historical vignettes of Mandela, Viljoen and their interaction.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
John
Carlin was South Africa correspondent and bureau chief for the
Independent of London from 1989 to 1995. He interviewed Nelson
Mandela and Constand Viljoen and was present during many of the
events described in this book.
Plough
Publishing House, 110 pages. This book releases November 5.
I received a complimentary digital ARC from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I received a complimentary digital ARC from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
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