The Year the Gypsies Came by Linzi Glass
Set in apartheid South Africa, this powerful and lyrically written novel is Linzi Glass's debut. As twelve-year-old Emily Iris explains it, her mother and father have always been eager to take in travelers and vagabonds, relying on the presence of outsiders to ease the tension between them. Emily has her gentle older sister, Sarah, and Buza, the old Zulu nightwatchman, for company and comfort. But her parents' continuing discontent leads them to welcome some peculiar strangers. One spring, a family of wanderers-a wildlife photographer, his wife, and two boys-comes to stay, and their strange, compelling, and dangerous presence will leave the Iris family infinitely changed. Editorial Reviews "A spring visit from a vagabond family ends in disaster for two white girls and their family in apartheid South Africa in 1966. Twelve-year-old tomboy Emily lives in Johannesburg with her older sister Sarah and their self-absorbed, sparring parents. Emily compares her family to Johannesburg-an illusion held together with dust. Ignored by her selfish mother and detached father, Emily turns to the old Zulu night watchman Buza, who comforts her with his stories of courage and strength. Out of nowhere, the rootless Mallorys arrive in their bedraggled camping trailer, bringing danger and discontent. Emily and Sarah are soon distracted with ragamuffin Streak and retarded Otis Mallory. But Emily feels "cracked . . . in too many pieces" when she discovers her mother is having an affair and suspects Mr. Mallory is abusing Otis. Tragically, Emily's world is torn apart, but Buza helps provide the glue that holds her together. Subtle parallels between Emily's family and apartheid South Africa provide great depth and meaning to this somber, sensitive, exquisitely narrated story for mature readers. (glossary of Afrikaans and Zulu words and expressions) (Fiction. YA)" - Kirkus Reviews, starred review - From the Publisher Gr 9 Up-This story of a fateful year in a girl's life takes place in 1960s apartheid South Africa. In order to divert attention away from their failing marriage, Emily's emotionally distant parents invite a family to stay in a camper in their yard. Emily befriends the younger son, Streak, while the older son, Otis, who is clearly brain damaged, becomes almost a devoted shadow to her gentle and loving older sister, Sarah. It soon becomes clear that the boys' father beats them regularly, and that one of his beatings most likely led to Otis's condition. Emily increasingly looks to Buza, the night watchman, for love and reassurance, and he shares folktales and traditional Zulu wisdom with her. The relationship between Otis and Sarah becomes more and more tense, and Otis rapes her. Through tragedy, the girls' parents finally come to a truce. Emily's relationships with the people close to her ring true, and her friendship with Streak has its touching moments. However, the dialogue is uneven. Streak's semi-educated speech, for instance, sounds more American than South African. While the story has emotional power and shows something of the class and race relationships of the time, it lacks a deep grounding in the social context, such as that shown in Beverley Naidoo's collection Out of Bounds (HarperCollins, 2003). Instead, it focuses primarily on Emily and her tragic family circumstances. Suggest this one to readers who are always looking for "a sad book."-Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. - School Library Journal A spring visit from a vagabond family ends in disaster for two white girls and their family in apartheid South Africa in 1966. Twelve-year-old tomboy Emily lives in Johannesburg with her older sister Sarah and their self-absorbed, sparring parents. Emily compares her family to Johannesburg-an illusion held together with dust. Ignored by her selfish mother and detached father, Emily turns to the old Zulu night watchman Buza, who comforts her with his stories of courage and strength. Out of nowhere, the rootless Mallorys arrive in their bedraggled camping trailer, bringing danger and discontent. Emily and Sarah are soon distracted with ragamuffin Streak and retarded Otis Mallory. But Emily feels "cracked . . . in too many pieces" when she discovers her mother is having an affair and suspects Mr. Mallory is abusing Otis. Tragically, Emily's world is torn apart, but Buza helps provide the glue that holds her together. Subtle parallels between Emily's family and apartheid South Africa provide great depth and meaning to this somber, sensitive, exquisitely narrated story for mature readers. (glossary of Afrikaans and Zulu words and expressions) (Fiction. YA) - Kirkus Reviews
Publication Details
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Binding: Hardcover
Published by: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR): , 2007
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ISBN: 9780805079999 | 0805079998
272 pages.
Book Condition: Very Good
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