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The Enemy Within
A black man, brutalised by apartheid, murders his wife. His fate is in the hands of a young Jewish lawyer, Jeremy Spielman. As Jeremy prepares to defend his client, he discovers uncomfortable facts about his own life: the racism of his girlfriend, the injustice of the legal system and his own weakness in the face of his country's enemies.
185 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 16, 2023
This novel captures the trial of David Tshabalala against the background of the shifting political climate in South Africa, making the novel one exciting read.
A black man already worn out by apartheid murders his wife. His fate is in the hands of a young Jewish lawyer, Jeremy Spielman.
South Africa is at the crossroads. The African National Congress (ANC) is unbanned. Mandela will be walking free.
South Africa is changing, but the beneficiaries of apartheid do not want change. The white minority is threatened. The black majority must shoulder more extenuating circumstances despite Mandela's release. Hope for a better and equal south Africa seems far fetched.
Jeremy quickly realizes that taking this case brings him to confront the racism in his own family, that of his girlfriend Elmarie and his role in the struggle to abolish apartheid.
A black man already worn out by apartheid murders his wife. His fate is in the hands of a young Jewish lawyer, Jeremy Spielman.
South Africa is at the crossroads. The African National Congress (ANC) is unbanned. Mandela will be walking free.
South Africa is changing, but the beneficiaries of apartheid do not want change. The white minority is threatened. The black majority must shoulder more extenuating circumstances despite Mandela's release. Hope for a better and equal south Africa seems far fetched.
Jeremy quickly realizes that taking this case brings him to confront the racism in his own family, that of his girlfriend Elmarie and his role in the struggle to abolish apartheid.
December 15, 2012
Reading this book reminded me of Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird- where justice is blurred by racism and prejudices that don't seem to develop a people.
It follows Jeremy who is asked by the state/government to defend a black man who is accused of murdering his wife. Jeremy in turn learns of how racist most of the people are around him- and that he's not doing anything to help the oppressed by keeping quiet and letting other talk ill of them.
It's a battle that he fights within himself and that's what makes this story interesting.
It follows Jeremy who is asked by the state/government to defend a black man who is accused of murdering his wife. Jeremy in turn learns of how racist most of the people are around him- and that he's not doing anything to help the oppressed by keeping quiet and letting other talk ill of them.
It's a battle that he fights within himself and that's what makes this story interesting.
January 14, 2015
This book is an insight into post apartheid South Africa at the dawn of the release of Nelson Mandela. It shows how in struggling for freedom by black South Africans, a militant group emerged to fight the white supremacy as well as be a sort of government for black South Africans. This created an environment of suspicion and fear and crime that is still a problem in modern South Africa.
The book shines a new light on apartheid and its devastating effects on the social fabric of South Africa.
The book shines a new light on apartheid and its devastating effects on the social fabric of South Africa.
May 15, 2010
the worst of white liberal guilt
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews