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Dragons & Butterflies: Sentenced To Die, Choosing To Live
Shani Krebs didn’t fall in with a bad crowd – he was the bad crowd. Born to Hungarian refugees in Joburg, Shani had a tough childhood. During his national service he started dabbling in drugs and it wasn’t long before he was supplying the Joburg party scene with marijuana, LSD, mandrax and cocaine. It was a wild life, filled with girlfriends, narrow escapes and drug binges. His closest friend was his pistol.
Then, in 1994 at the birth of South Africa’s democracy, Shani flew to Thailand where he was arrested for heroin trafficking and, after a trial, was sentenced to death. He was 34.
Shani’s sentence was commuted to 100 years, and thus begun the greatest challenge of his life. The first hurdle was to survive in one of the toughest prisons imaginable: the random violence, the appalling diet, and the filth and diseases. Shani not only survived, he eventually rose to command significant respect within the prison system. The second was to stay off drugs after years of addiction. The third was nurturing a long-neglected spiritual side, which he found through his art and exploring his Jewish faith.
But what gave him most focus was, in collaboration with his sister Joan, trying to find some way either to be transferred to a South African prison or have his sentence shortened. He failed in the former but, after serving 18 years – the longest-serving Westerner in a Thai prison – he stepped off a plane at OR Tambo in 2012.
South Africa was a changed country, and Shani was a changed man. After adjusting to life on the outside, he is now a talented artist and public speaker, rallying against drug abuse in schools.
Dragons & Butterflies tells the remarkable story of a man who reached absolute rock bottom but had the fortitude to rise up again.
Then, in 1994 at the birth of South Africa’s democracy, Shani flew to Thailand where he was arrested for heroin trafficking and, after a trial, was sentenced to death. He was 34.
Shani’s sentence was commuted to 100 years, and thus begun the greatest challenge of his life. The first hurdle was to survive in one of the toughest prisons imaginable: the random violence, the appalling diet, and the filth and diseases. Shani not only survived, he eventually rose to command significant respect within the prison system. The second was to stay off drugs after years of addiction. The third was nurturing a long-neglected spiritual side, which he found through his art and exploring his Jewish faith.
But what gave him most focus was, in collaboration with his sister Joan, trying to find some way either to be transferred to a South African prison or have his sentence shortened. He failed in the former but, after serving 18 years – the longest-serving Westerner in a Thai prison – he stepped off a plane at OR Tambo in 2012.
South Africa was a changed country, and Shani was a changed man. After adjusting to life on the outside, he is now a talented artist and public speaker, rallying against drug abuse in schools.
Dragons & Butterflies tells the remarkable story of a man who reached absolute rock bottom but had the fortitude to rise up again.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
664 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2014
13 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 10, 2014
Such a sad, but inspiring story told in the 1st person, no fiction, no covering up, cruel honesty. This is the type of story kids should read at school as it can easily happen to even the strongest, brightest of all. Again the love of a mother and actions of parents plays a very important role. It is a spiritual and religious journey over many years in terrible circumstances which in the end shows personal growth and the need we all have for somebody to love us, somebody to believe in us – do not trust the government to do anything for you! We all need help and acceptance in some way or another. Being a sister like Joan is an inspiration – I would like to also read the story from Joan’s side, above all I can only wish to be a sister like Joan.
July 20, 2017
An interesting, thought provoking read.
It allows the reader to venture on a journey of self reflection, allowing one the chance to see just how in control of our destinies we are.
The first half of the book is both entertaining and heart breaking, I found myself willing Krebs to make better decisions, feeling that such an interesting personality could be put to far better use.
Post imprisonment the story gets a little bit repetitive, and the religious turn was not one that I felt was entirely sincere.
Over all a brilliant read, proudly South African and leaving me wishing to see Krebs' art gallery and to meet the man in person.
It allows the reader to venture on a journey of self reflection, allowing one the chance to see just how in control of our destinies we are.
The first half of the book is both entertaining and heart breaking, I found myself willing Krebs to make better decisions, feeling that such an interesting personality could be put to far better use.
Post imprisonment the story gets a little bit repetitive, and the religious turn was not one that I felt was entirely sincere.
Over all a brilliant read, proudly South African and leaving me wishing to see Krebs' art gallery and to meet the man in person.
October 9, 2014
An incredible story of a crazy upbringing and loads of antics leading up to his imprisonment. The incarceration part of the book, though, seems to be a lot of the same stuff. If you read this as a journal (which I didn't) you'll enjoy it far more.
July 30, 2019
This addition to confessional literature is refreshing, entertaining, incredibly interesting and shocking. Shani Krebs presents a very credible and likeable persona that coincides very well with the personality that I remember from school. His brutal and ultimately redemptive honesty refreshes and underlines the simple and uplifting message that is repeated throught the second (imprisoned) part of the book: "Being a prisoner was not an excuse to behave badly; rather, it offered an opportunity to better yourself as a person."
Shani Krebs' journey is told skilfully by means of an episodic memory trope that provides a detailed experiential picture that would jump back and forth within a broad sweep of time. Memories would occur to him unfettered by the strict contraints of sequence demonstrating a key theme in the book: although the imprisonment was brutal, inhumane, dehumanizing and in many respects insane, this never broke Shani's spirit (although it came close many timer) and his mind soared freely and unconstrained throughout.
The book generates considerable tension (despite the clear knowledge that Shani would ultimately and happily be released from prision) by constantly challenging the reader (as Shani challenges himself) with the question: will he go mad, will the Thai prison system succeed in breaking his spirit and degrading his very humanity as it seems intent on doing?
Ultimately a very good read, thoroughly recommended.
Shani Krebs' journey is told skilfully by means of an episodic memory trope that provides a detailed experiential picture that would jump back and forth within a broad sweep of time. Memories would occur to him unfettered by the strict contraints of sequence demonstrating a key theme in the book: although the imprisonment was brutal, inhumane, dehumanizing and in many respects insane, this never broke Shani's spirit (although it came close many timer) and his mind soared freely and unconstrained throughout.
The book generates considerable tension (despite the clear knowledge that Shani would ultimately and happily be released from prision) by constantly challenging the reader (as Shani challenges himself) with the question: will he go mad, will the Thai prison system succeed in breaking his spirit and degrading his very humanity as it seems intent on doing?
Ultimately a very good read, thoroughly recommended.
March 8, 2020
‘It’s amazing how people’s paths cross in life, often for reasons we can’t fully comprehend..’ it was this unexpected crossroad that I had the brief privilege to meet Shani that led me to reading his story. ‘Everybody has a story, and so often, when we get to hear the difficulties others face, it gives us a different perspective on our own lives’
This is a brutally honest account of his life, almost death and redemption. I was reminded that noone is too far gone to be pulled out of a miry pit. It is the responsibility of us all to reach out in love to our brothers and sisters, our fellow humankind without judgement (we are all on death row in a sense), and that even the smallest acts of kindness can strengthen someone: ‘it was more about knowing that people cared’, ‘They reminded us that we weren’t forgotten.’
Shani, I regret not taking more time to chat that day, yet I also would have been a fool in conversation not knowing then what I know now... and how much more significant that days visit to Mandelas home and to the SA Constitutional court was. I think I would have cried. Thanks for sharing your life, (+ your warm extended hand + kind photo) I hope the best is still coming for you!
This is a brutally honest account of his life, almost death and redemption. I was reminded that noone is too far gone to be pulled out of a miry pit. It is the responsibility of us all to reach out in love to our brothers and sisters, our fellow humankind without judgement (we are all on death row in a sense), and that even the smallest acts of kindness can strengthen someone: ‘it was more about knowing that people cared’, ‘They reminded us that we weren’t forgotten.’
Shani, I regret not taking more time to chat that day, yet I also would have been a fool in conversation not knowing then what I know now... and how much more significant that days visit to Mandelas home and to the SA Constitutional court was. I think I would have cried. Thanks for sharing your life, (+ your warm extended hand + kind photo) I hope the best is still coming for you!
January 29, 2021
By far the poorest book I have ever read, full of bullshit stories
I will not recommend this book to anybody it is full of untruths and lies
For those who like reading fake stories this book is ideal
I will not recommend this book to anybody it is full of untruths and lies
For those who like reading fake stories this book is ideal
August 12, 2014
Firstly, I have to commend Shani for sharing his incredible story. I picked up a signed copy from him at one of his book launches, and I found him to be a truly sincere and down to earth. No BS, what you see is what you get.
Reading this book was a journey of my own and I feel like I have spent so many good hours bonding with Shani, reading and reliving his experience through his writing.
This book is exactly what it says it is, a memoir. In a way, despite a natural progression through time and events, I did feel that the book lacked a bit of structure due to not having any chapters, but I guess that's what makes it more of a memoir. It reads as if Shani has spoken into a mic and put his recordings down into words - short story after short story. Sometimes these end abruptly, and some of them go on longer than necessary, but overall the book is exciting and engaging. This book is the true and honest testimony of a truly courageous and 'captivated' soul, sometimes too honest.
Although this book wont win any literary awards, it stands out for its extraordinary account of a mans sheer will and determination to endure and beat an insufferable corrupt Thai prison system. I always enjoy a good true story, and this one practically took place on my doorstep around the corner from where I live which hit close to home and made it that much more enjoyable.
The book ended a bit premature for me, and without ruining it for anybody, let me just say that there is so much more I wanted to know, and I remain very curious about the after-life and what happened next - perhaps a second book?
Reading this book was a journey of my own and I feel like I have spent so many good hours bonding with Shani, reading and reliving his experience through his writing.
This book is exactly what it says it is, a memoir. In a way, despite a natural progression through time and events, I did feel that the book lacked a bit of structure due to not having any chapters, but I guess that's what makes it more of a memoir. It reads as if Shani has spoken into a mic and put his recordings down into words - short story after short story. Sometimes these end abruptly, and some of them go on longer than necessary, but overall the book is exciting and engaging. This book is the true and honest testimony of a truly courageous and 'captivated' soul, sometimes too honest.
Although this book wont win any literary awards, it stands out for its extraordinary account of a mans sheer will and determination to endure and beat an insufferable corrupt Thai prison system. I always enjoy a good true story, and this one practically took place on my doorstep around the corner from where I live which hit close to home and made it that much more enjoyable.
The book ended a bit premature for me, and without ruining it for anybody, let me just say that there is so much more I wanted to know, and I remain very curious about the after-life and what happened next - perhaps a second book?
March 22, 2015
The description of prisons in Thailand was shocking. Shani's sister Joan is a real saint, it was inspiring to read how, in spite of all the havoc he had caused in their lives, she continued to support him and continued to fight the battle for he's release. I would recommend the book, you just need a bit of patience to get through it.
July 31, 2014
Really enjoyed this book as it took me way back to the 80's. I knew and hung out at most of the places he spoke about and I also went to King David school. So for me it was very familiar, however it was way too long and repetitive in some parts.
January 14, 2015
This was such a great book, I was hooked from the first chapter. However I felt it dragged out towards the end by the huge amount of detail that was given. In my opinion, it's a great book and I would recommend others to give it a read.
June 23, 2014
I enjoyed it. But found it too long
July 18, 2014
A very interesting life but the book is way too long.
August 3, 2014
Way to long and drawn out
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews