Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane (spoilers)

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Mathabane's book "Kaffir Boy" is an autobiography of his childhood and escape from living in apartheid South Africa. Awarded the Christopher Award for inspiring hope, this book is an excellent insight into life as a black African under apartheid.

The book follows Mathabane from his early years in South Africa up to the moment he leaves for America funded by a tennis scholarship.

Unfortunately, the book has been met by controversy, prompting Mathabane to write an article in defense of his book: "If You Assign My Book, Don't Censor It". Mathabane's style is raw and honest. He leaves nothing out of his narrative and his scenes are vivid and often violent. The most controversial scenes included child prostitution, the gory and graphic murder of a man, as well as other accounts of death and violence.

Mathabane argues that his book isn't meant to be pornographic: the scene of child prostitution is meant to send a message warning against negative peer pressure (Don't Censor It)

Though graphic, the book gives an inspiring message of hope and the inherent value of life. The diction and rhythm of the book is fluid and contributes to an enjoyable read, though the book is sometimes difficult to get through because of the nature of the content. If the reader is willing to be uncomfortable, this book is an invaluable read. Because of these reasons, I give this book a 5 out of 5.

[Masaa]

I read Kaffir Boy and then Kaffir Boy in America and then African Women. All by the same author and the last book being about the women in Mark's family. His grandmother, sister and mother. It was heartbreaking to see how Apartheid tore apart families and made it almost impossible to just marry have children and raise a family.