Child of the River by Irma Joubert

 Like a gently flowing river that picks up speed and hurls you over the white rapids - this book will have you hanging on to every word.  Persomi lives with a drunkard father and cowering mother.  From an early age she must find the inner strength not to give in to the depression and despair.  At each turn and twist of her personal journey she chooses to walk with integrity and look for ways to live fuller while seeking her own special purpose in life.  The author takes us through Africa's history during the atrocious time of Apartheid.  She shows us the political climate and various viewpoints held.  The reader will experience this in a heart wrenching way through the individual characters in the book and the consequences their held beliefs cost them.  The ramifications of dark secrets will impact Persomi in heart wrenching ways that no one could predict or imagine.  She is a character of rare steadfast faith and hope that shines like a light in a very dark time.  This is a 388 page book and I read it in one sitting because it is that good!

I received this book free from the publishers.