Spots

by Judy Brummer

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Spots is the first book in the autobiographic trilogy of the life of Judy Bester Brummer. Hers is a story of a white girl of British ancestry growing up with her two African best friends in apartheid South Africa. Their lives unfold on a rural farm on the edge of the Karoo outback, which provides the young girls with plenty of exciting adventures and shields them from the political turmoil that is beginning to swirl around them.

As they grow up they have to find their own places in their own cultures. Their lives take drastically different paths and they have to learn how to maintain their friendship across racial, cultural and religious barriers.

This book gives a realistic account of everyday life in one of the most controversial political situations of the 20th Century. It takes an unapologetic look at the complexities and simplicities of love and friendship.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 17, 2014

Reviews

[Thomas Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I am fascinated by most things having to do with South African culture. This book gives a refreshing first hand account of the affects of Apartheid on the life of a girl growing up in rural South Africa. Far from the dramatized, polarized accounts that seem to often come from a segregated South Africa this book tells entertaining stories that teach valuable lessons, without cherry-coating or glossing over the serious disadvantages that the authors Black friends encounter. It is a quick read and quite enjoyable. Get your hands on it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cultural lesson from a young girl growing up in South Africa during apartheid. The premise of the book is “can we change our spots”, or how we think, feel and act. How set are we in continuing the traditions of our family or can we make a change when our eyes are opened to the effect these traditions have on those around us? A delightful retelling of her childhood experiences and awareness of inequality.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book about the author, Judy Brummer's, childhood, growing up in South African in the Eastern Cape, where her two best friends, Sindi and Tombe were black children of their servants. She learned to speak Xhosa from the servants and writes about her deepest feelings about differences in color and culture, yet how much they were alike. Having visited that very area (Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred, Grahamstown, etc…) and having heard the Xhosa language with all its clicking sounds, I especially loved this book!

It is #1 in a trilogy and I can't wait for the other two books! Judy Brummer gave a fireside in Provo that my Aunt Jean attended and she gave me an autographed copy! Ü

[Jane Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was pure joy

I loved this book. It is written with a child's sense of wonder and openness. It's funny and delightful with teaching moments along the way. Judy recognised the evil of apartheid, but loved people for who they were. A very satisfying read.

[Melanie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The world of South Africa was opened to me in a new light. Can't wait for book 2!