SA Book & Challenge Lovers discussion

Wayne and I will do a buddy read of The Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter in January. Please feel free to join us!

Hi Carolien, started reading Soft Vengeance this morning.

Going to start later today. From the first page, it looks like a reasonably easy read.

yep, I am reading the 2011 edition, which has an introduction by Prof Njabulo S Ndebele.

Mine looks like the original 1990 edition, hard cover and no introduction.

Hi Carolien, how are you getting on with this? I am nearly half-way through. As you mentioned, it is quite an easy read. It is a bit different from what I expected, but more about that later.

I'm about a quarter in and it is an easy read.

I'm now about halfway. Also different from what I expected at this stage. I assume "Wolfie" in chapter 16 refers to Harold Wolpe?

Carolien wrote: "I'm now about halfway. Also different from what I expected at this stage. I assume "Wolfie" in chapter 16 refers to Harold Wolpe?"

Carolien, I think it refers to Wolfie Kodesh. https://achievement.org/wp-content/up...

Wayne wrote: "Carolien wrote: "I'm now about halfway. Also different from what I expected at this stage. I assume "Wolfie" in chapter 16 refers to Harold Wolpe?"

Carolien, I think it refers to Wolfie Kodesh. ht..."
Note the colourful shorts ;,>)

Wayne wrote: "Carolien wrote: "I'm now about halfway. Also different from what I expected at this stage. I assume "Wolfie" in chapter 16 refers to Harold Wolpe?"

Carolien, I think it refers to Wolfie Kodesh. ht..."

Thank you! Yes, the shorts are quite something!

I'm finding the timeline a bit confusing as he seems to jump to topics not necessarily in a specific order. We've had chapters on the treatment and then two thirds in he writes about the BBC and newspapers. The New York Times article he refers to appeared only a month after the attack while he was in hospital. (It's mentioned earlier when he is relearning to write as well). So the perception I have is that the recovery took a long time, yet probably not as long. About half way in he talks about the first trip outside the flat and it is in spring, so no more than 2 months if that after the attack.

Hi, sorry for my tardy response. I also had a couple of moments where I had to reread to acertain were we are with regards to his recuperation. At first I thought that he visited John Nkadimeng nd Jacob Zuma, but after a few rereads I concluded that they must have visited him. Still not quite sure though. Part of my confusion was that this visit was mentioned soon after the Rose Garden outing. I also think that his rehabilitation and coming to terms with the loss of his arm took a lot longer than the physical healing.

I am in the home stretch now so will post some more comments a bit later.

On the home front, I am isolating precautionary (my sister tested positive). I am ok, and had limited contact with her, but it is suspected that her 18-month old girl, who stays here during the day, might be the carrier. I am a bit sceptical (her daddy works at a clinic, so a far likelier candidate). Sister is doing alright, bit fluey, and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. Baby girl is doing great.

My tomato seedlings are showing purple leaves and stems. Hopefully the Epsom salt solution which I sprayed it with, will remedy the situation.

Carolien wrote: "I'm finding the timeline a bit confusing as he seems to jump to topics not necessarily in a specific order. We've had chapters on the treatment and then two thirds in he writes about the BBC and ne..."

You were right about the two month period in hospital. I had a quick rescan, and he mentions that he was there for nearly three months.

I rated this book 5 stars, not just because of comradely bias, but because it is an easy to read, honest narrative of Albie Sach's recovery, and coming to terms with losing his right arm, after an assassination attempt through a car bomb.

This coming to terms part is given an added nuance, because in the book Albie Sachs appears to be quite particular about his image, which is at odds with his life of self-sacrifice and service to the struggle. Not for Albie the best orange on the tray, but give him a lekka (very nice) pair of shorts anytime of the day.

There are a couple of light-hearted moments in the book, for example Madiba's mock concern about being in a confined space with Albie the jailbird, but for me the best is Albie joining one of the first, if not the first, gay rights marches in Cape Town. Arriving late he parked illegally in a spot reserved for Cathedral staff, and hurried back because he dreaded finding "a note in stern prelate's language informing me that I had conducted myself with extreme disrespect for the Church."

I expected the book to dwell more on his early life and how he reached the decision to commit himself to the non-racial struggle and the establishment of a human rights framework and culture in South Africa. Thinking about it though, I realised that this book is not it, and he has written other books (not read yet) which most probably deal adequately with the subject of his earlier life. This book is about channeling his anger into ensuring that a different inclusive South Africa emerged out of our divided painful history, in the process getting his own back.

A great read, which I will recommend widely, and to think I bought this book as a graduation present for a newly qualified lawyer seven years ago, never gotten round to hand it to her, but never read it myself either. Thanks for the prod Carolien.

I liked it a lot and agree that it is worth recommending as it gives insight into the process and thoughts required to recover from major trauma. The ANC as movement provides in many cases the motivation for him to act in a certain manner which is overall beneficial. Not sure the party in its current incarnation will provide the same motivation.

I found it interesting that he is self aware enough to realise how self-centred his actions and expectations are in the moment of recovery, yet how difficult he finds it act differently. The book is also a first person narrative which allows for few other perspectives which becomes difficult at times. (I found it revealing that there is no acknowledgements in the original which I would have expected under the circumstances).

Agree that it is not the book to read if you want to get insight into his early life, it is very much a moment in time view. Very interesting and I also enjoyed the more light-hearted moments along the way. Thanks for putting this one on our lists, Wayne!

The obvious fiction pairing for this is Neighbours: The Story of a Murder which tells of the planning and impact of an incursion by the SA Forces in Maputo. Worth a reread.