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Written by: 2/18/2010 9:57 AM
Few people have courted as much controversy or evoked such strong and divergent emotions as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Adored by some, abhorred by others, she bears a name famous throughout the world, yet not many people know the woman behind the headlines, myths and controversies, or the details of the fascinating story that is her life. This biography reveals the enigma that is Winnie Mandela, by exploring both her personal and political life. The reader is given a rare glimpse into Winnie's strict yet happy rural upbringing, where the foundations were laid for her faith, compassion and indomitable resolve. As a young social worker in 1950s Johannesburg, her beauty, style and character captivated the political activist and Tembu prince, Nelson Mandela. Together, they personified the rising aspirations and political awakening of their people, and, in so doing, inspired a nation.Through her fierce determination and dauntless courage, she survived her husband's imprisonment, continuous harassment by the security police, banishment to a small Free State town, betrayal by friends and allies, and more than a year in solitary confinement u all the while keeping the struggle flame alight.
Review By: Cheryl van Schalkwyk - Bookworm rating 4/5
I found it to be a very difficult read. I also felt that the introduction to the book was tedious because it mainly surrounds the struggle and it deals with the history of the struggle, pre 1994.
The book was not interesting enough, and it constantly needed your concentration ,you had to give your full attention all the time in order to fully understand the changes that were happening. I felt that the book does have emotion to it because I really felt sorry for Winnie when she had to leave her small children to go to prison. Winnie went through a lot of trying times especially when it concerned her children, when she had to send them to a boarding school in Swaziland.
If this book were to made into film, I would much rather prefer to see the conclusion of this book in film rather than print, although at the moment I am unable to visualise this book on the big screen – no matter who plays the part of Winnie.
Based on the fact that I have not finished the book, my rating is 2/5 – but if I had to continue, my rating could possibly have increased but not by much.
Thank you for introducing me to people I never knew existed!(LOL)
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