"[T]he novel’s overall passionate restraint, which, along with some wonderful characters—Zola, Mvelo’s mother, once a dedicated runner; Nonceba, a skilled lawyer and possibly also a witch; Sipho, a good man trying to do better—makes it a joy to read, despite Mvelo’s bleak circumstances. Ntshingila’s prose is as graceful as it is forceful, conveying her deep-seated faith in truth to overcome the world’s ugliness."—Politics and Prose Bookstore (Staff Pick)
"Ntshingila takes what could be mere tearjerking manipulation and turns Mvelo’s path into something at once dramatic and prosaic. In other words, a 14-year-old pregnant by rape, orphaned by AIDS, and uncertain of her future sounds and feels like a full human instead of a line in a news story. Highly recommend." — Bethanne Patrick, Lit Hub
"Ntshingila’s prose is as graceful as it is forceful, conveying her deep-seated faith in truth to overcome the world’s ugliness." — Laurie G., bookseller Politics and Prose
"Reading the story of Mvelo, a 14-year-old girl whose life is impacted by many twists of fate, hardship, love, and an incredible community of supporters—and whose tragic journey resolves in the most wonderful of ways—brings back a history of a still raging epidemic that has seemed to disappear from the media’s attention in this country." –Lucy Kogler, Lit Hub,
"It is a story about joy and hope and courage, and what it means to lift up others and be lifted oneself, and how one young girl found her voice in a world seemingly determined to take it away." Shelf Awareness, starred review
“Those who appreciate realistic fiction will enjoy this novel in which young female characters learn to love themselves, no matter the circumstances.” School Library Journal
“Full of heart and hope despite the emotionally challenging subject matter […] A haunting, all-too-true story with plenty of compelling depth.” Booklist Reviews
"Taking place mostly in Durban, South Africa, the tale doesn't shy away from the reality of AIDS, poverty, or rampant sexual abuse, but instead of making those subjects its sole focus, Ntshingila folds them in with the other realities of life: love, joy, and hope. Ntshingila's lyrically wrought North American debut is a slim yet satisfying novel sure to trigger a wide range of emotions." Kirkus, starred review
"Futhi Ntshingila weaves a beautiful narrative full of three-dimensional characters. She brings them, as well as the South African culture and landscape, to life vividly and entertains us as well as informs. It is a much-needed look at the AIDS crisis and a continent and country that has been hit so hard. In doing so, however, it still provides us with much hope for the future." —A&U Magazine
One of "Seven new and noteworthy fiction titles about South Africa" (The Globe and Mail)
03/01/2018
An in-depth look at how HIV/AIDS has impacted several generations of women in South Africa and how mothers and daughters deal with abuse, poverty, and disease while navigating parenthood. After her mother's death from HIV/AIDS, Mvelo, 14, becomes pregnant after she is raped by a visiting minister. Though she lives in extreme poverty, she finds resources and hope in unlikely mentors and benefactors. Readers will learn about the two generations of women who came before Mvelo—her life echoes many of her mother and grandmother's struggles. These well-crafted characters and their attempts to make better decisions than the previous generation will resonate with teens. VERDICT Those who appreciate realistic fiction will enjoy this novel in which young female characters learn to love themselves, no matter the circumstances.—April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL
★ 2018-01-22
Ntshingila's latest chronicles the past and present of a young girl suffering life's blows.Mvelo is orphaned at 14 when her mother dies of AIDS. She's also pregnant after having been raped and faces a difficult decision. It's a bleak start, but while tragic things happen, this story is not about tragedy: it is a story of how things happen and how that informs what happens next. Through shifting perspectives, Ntshingila takes readers back in time and through the lives of the people in Mvelo's life. First there's her mother, Zola, whose life at 16 takes a turn when she gives birth to Mvelo and loses her partner on the same day. There's Sipho, the man who loves them both but has his vices, and Nonceba, the ferociously strong woman he leaves them for. Through beautiful prose and rich imagery, readers step into these lives and more, connecting the dots to the present day. Taking place mostly in Durban, South Africa, the tale doesn't shy away from the reality of AIDS, poverty, or rampant sexual abuse, but instead of making those subjects its sole focus, Ntshingila folds them in with the other realities of life: love, joy, and hope.Ntshingila's lyrically wrought North American debut is a slim yet satisfying novel sure to trigger a wide range of emotions. (Fiction. 15-adult)
