Page Count: 563
Published on: January 4, 2018
Published by: K.M. Breakey
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance
Source: Paperback- provided by author
Source: Paperback- provided by author
My Rating: 1.75 stars
Goodreads synopsis:
Audrey is a starry-eyed Brit, Pieter a tenth-generation Afrikaner. At the height of Apartheid, they fall in love. A life of splendour awaits, but the country is shifting underfoot. The winds of change fan revolution, and Michael Manzulu’s rage boils. He is hungry, and will risk everything to destroy his oppressor.
When white rule gives way, trepidation is tempered by precarious optimism. Mandela will make the miracle happen. Or not. Twenty-three years on, South Africa has suffered unprecedented decline. The country unravels and fear is pervasive. Fear of persecution, land seizure, slaughter. Pieter and Audrey march on. They navigate the perpetual threat. They pray the wrath will not strike their home.
Recently, voices of protest cry out, none louder than the bombastic scholar, Kaspar Coetzer. World leaders cautiously take note, but will they take action? More importantly, can they?
"Never, Never and Never Again" is a story of vengeance, greed and corruption. A story the world ignores, but a story that must be told…before it’s too late.
~~~
I was sent Never, Never and Never Again by the author, K.M. Breakey, for the purpose of reviewing the novel. This is the second novel I have reviewed for Breakey. My review for Johnny and Jamaal can be read here. As with the first review, minor spoilers ahead.
Never, Never and Never Again follows the Van Zyl family from the 1970s to 2018. The first section of the novel follows Afrikaner Pieter Van Zyl as he charms and marries English Audrey Hudson. This first section dabbles in racial tension and conflict during Apartheid, but focuses on the romantic relationship as it unfolds.
The second section jumps to the end of the 20th century. Pieter and Audrey have two children and Nelson Mandela is elected President. The parents are worried about the end of Apartheid and a future with Black government.
The final section takes place in 2017-2018. The Van Zyl’s son moved to Canada and is returning home for his parents’ 40th anniversary. He brings his 4 year old son and coworker to see his homeland. South Africa has become hostile to White citizens and the family faces the effects of decades of social change.
I enjoyed the chapters of the book that talked of things other than the Van Zyl family more than the rest of the book. Overall, the novel is decent and brings up a topic that I didn’t think much of until recently. Part of my ignorance on South Africa came from a lack of information presented in high school World History classes. I appreciate Breakey’s desire to write on subjects that are often ignored by the general population. Breakey also writes out his character’s dialects when they are speaking. It was easier to read than in Johnny and Jamaal and I appreciate the balance between worldbuilding and legibility.
Unfortunately, that is more or less where the positive feelings end. The novel has a blatant right-wing, Pro-White/Anti-Black tone. The degree of political feeling doesn’t really have bearing on whether the novel is good or bad, but the characters that are clearly admired by the protagonists are comfortable with making fun of liberals and left-wing ideals. Rather than be professional, the “savior” in the story attacks people and not ideals. Repeatedly in the novel, the protagonists talk of how Blacks were happy under Apartheid and would still be savages if not for the Afrikaner settlers. In the last section, Breakey uses the characters to criticize Western governments for taking in non-white refugees and the danger they bring to those countries.
Apart from political and racial issues with the book, Never, Never and Never Again devotes too many pages to romances that feel forced. Pieter and Audrey fall in love over what feels like a month and are married approximately 13 months after their first meeting. Then, in the third section, the Van Zyl’s daughter falls in love with her brother’s Canadian coworker after maybe a month as well. This pairing feels especially forced and has awkward sex scenes and hurried romantic interactions.
Both criticisms could have been written better. I feel that if they were, I would not have issue with the book and would rate it much higher. But, the readers are clearly meant to like the protagonists and share their racial/political views that are, to be frank, problematic and unhealthy. The romances came across as awkward as well.
I could be completely wrong in how I read the book. It took me a few weeks to read it, only finishing it because I did not want to give up halfway through. I was disappointed with Breakey’s latest release, especially compared to Johnny and Jamaal. I may go back and reread that novel to compare the two.
I would love to hear other opinions on this novel, as I could have grossly misinterpreted it.
Recommendations by Alex:
Happy reading,
Alex
Recommendations by Alex:
Happy reading,
Alex
