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The Thunder That Roars
Yusuf Carrim has made it in New York. His tech-savvy coverage of the Arab Spring saw his journalism career skyrocket. But when his wealthy father asks him to help look for Sam, a missing family friend, he must return to South Africa. Yusuf ’s search takes him to places he could never have imagined. Enlisting the help of an eccentric professor and Sam’s exotic uncle, Yusuf discovers facts that undermine a lifetime’s assumptions about his own identity – and prompt him to step up the search for Sam before it is too late.
From the suburbs of Johannesburg to the streets of Bulawayo, from Dubai airport to an immigrant facility on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, Yusuf ’s quest to find Sam turns into an inward journey of his own.
The Thunder That Roars is international journalist Imran Garda’s cosmopolitan, fast-paced debut.
From the suburbs of Johannesburg to the streets of Bulawayo, from Dubai airport to an immigrant facility on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, Yusuf ’s quest to find Sam turns into an inward journey of his own.
The Thunder That Roars is international journalist Imran Garda’s cosmopolitan, fast-paced debut.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It tells the story of Yusuf Carrim, a young South African man from a Muslim background, who is a journalist living in New York. He finds out that Sam, a Zimbabwean man who has worked for his family as a gardener since Yusuf was a child, is missing after having travelled to Libya. He feels drawn to return to South Africa to help find him. In the very first chapter, I was reminded of Fugard’s ‘Master Harold and the Boys’; maybe it was partly because of the name Sam as well as the almost fatherly role this man adopts with the 9 year old Yusuf. Although, Yusuf is nowhere near as dreadful as Hally was to his Sam, betrayal is a theme that runs through the story.
In trying to find Sam, Yusuf stumbles upon family secrets that will shake his sense of identity and lead him to dangerous places both physically and emotionally. It is a story of our times in a global sense touching on many of the upheavals of the 21st century such as the Arab Spring, displaced people and refugee centres. It is also a story that is deeply rooted in our apartheid past and the devastating effect it had and is still having on people’s lives. The propensity for instant gratification that the media satisfies, whether through talk shows or Twitter, is another thread that situates the novel firmly in the 21st century
One of the aspects I enjoyed about The Thunder That Roars is the way it gives a voice to those that remain marginalised twenty years of democracy later. The dominant narrative about so many things in South Africa still seems to be from a white perspective, whether this be Zimbabwean politics or affirmative action. The writer’s depiction of the racist attitude of the man sitting next to him on the flight to Bulawayo is perfectly executed, I hear people talking this way about Zimbabwe often. This is counter-pointed by Sam’s uncle, Skuzukuduma, taking Yusuf on a tour of Bulawayo and giving him a running commentary criticising all facets of society, especially the remaining white ‘settlers’ and the MDM politicians. We need these voices to be heard.
There are three strong male characters whom Yusuf encounters during his search in different contexts; Skuzukuduma, Professor Odinka and Idris, the Somalian refugee. Each one assists him, teaches him and offers him difficult truths to digest. They are all fascinating, quirky characters that add richness to the narrative. .
Yusuf as a character is very appealing; he lies, he womanises, he judges others (like his father) without recognising where his behaviour is similar yet he goes to the ends of the earth in his attempt to find Sam. He wants to do the right thing but he struggles to overcome his own moral weakness. Most of the women he chooses are trophy girlfriends except for two women who see through him and give him short shrift. It is refreshing to encounter a character that is so human instead of the fairly typical all-good or all-bad characters that so often litter novels.
Many of the reasons I enjoyed this book are also personal. It is partly set in Yeoville, Johannesburg where I grew up so I can imagine the very streets where the action takes place. The characters are so familiar too; I recognise them. Such as Pedro, the workshop manager, who is still called ‘baas’ and still calls Sam’s friend, Phineas, ‘kaffir’. As Skuzukuduma says, ‘The more things change the more they seem to stay the same.’ And the ending, while no fairytale, is apt.
Really a great read with a fast pace, authentic and thought-provoking too. More please, Mr Garda.
In trying to find Sam, Yusuf stumbles upon family secrets that will shake his sense of identity and lead him to dangerous places both physically and emotionally. It is a story of our times in a global sense touching on many of the upheavals of the 21st century such as the Arab Spring, displaced people and refugee centres. It is also a story that is deeply rooted in our apartheid past and the devastating effect it had and is still having on people’s lives. The propensity for instant gratification that the media satisfies, whether through talk shows or Twitter, is another thread that situates the novel firmly in the 21st century
One of the aspects I enjoyed about The Thunder That Roars is the way it gives a voice to those that remain marginalised twenty years of democracy later. The dominant narrative about so many things in South Africa still seems to be from a white perspective, whether this be Zimbabwean politics or affirmative action. The writer’s depiction of the racist attitude of the man sitting next to him on the flight to Bulawayo is perfectly executed, I hear people talking this way about Zimbabwe often. This is counter-pointed by Sam’s uncle, Skuzukuduma, taking Yusuf on a tour of Bulawayo and giving him a running commentary criticising all facets of society, especially the remaining white ‘settlers’ and the MDM politicians. We need these voices to be heard.
There are three strong male characters whom Yusuf encounters during his search in different contexts; Skuzukuduma, Professor Odinka and Idris, the Somalian refugee. Each one assists him, teaches him and offers him difficult truths to digest. They are all fascinating, quirky characters that add richness to the narrative. .
Yusuf as a character is very appealing; he lies, he womanises, he judges others (like his father) without recognising where his behaviour is similar yet he goes to the ends of the earth in his attempt to find Sam. He wants to do the right thing but he struggles to overcome his own moral weakness. Most of the women he chooses are trophy girlfriends except for two women who see through him and give him short shrift. It is refreshing to encounter a character that is so human instead of the fairly typical all-good or all-bad characters that so often litter novels.
Many of the reasons I enjoyed this book are also personal. It is partly set in Yeoville, Johannesburg where I grew up so I can imagine the very streets where the action takes place. The characters are so familiar too; I recognise them. Such as Pedro, the workshop manager, who is still called ‘baas’ and still calls Sam’s friend, Phineas, ‘kaffir’. As Skuzukuduma says, ‘The more things change the more they seem to stay the same.’ And the ending, while no fairytale, is apt.
Really a great read with a fast pace, authentic and thought-provoking too. More please, Mr Garda.
February 12, 2018
Great story
As a foreigner living in South Africa I found this this to be a very compelling story to read. I was just a bit disappointed at the ending for a few different reasons. I finished reading feeling like there could have been more resolution regarding Yusuf's relationships with people throughout the story, but especially with Jack and Lina, in light of all the information that came out during his journeys. I also found the lack of resolution regarding Sam's whereabouts, but especially Yusuf's decision not to follow-up on the lead in Tunisia to be a big letdown for me. It probably is worth noting that it took a bit of a political swing at the end as well, raising awareness for the plight of African migrants and refugees, but I didn't mind that because I'm with him on that.
As a foreigner living in South Africa I found this this to be a very compelling story to read. I was just a bit disappointed at the ending for a few different reasons. I finished reading feeling like there could have been more resolution regarding Yusuf's relationships with people throughout the story, but especially with Jack and Lina, in light of all the information that came out during his journeys. I also found the lack of resolution regarding Sam's whereabouts, but especially Yusuf's decision not to follow-up on the lead in Tunisia to be a big letdown for me. It probably is worth noting that it took a bit of a political swing at the end as well, raising awareness for the plight of African migrants and refugees, but I didn't mind that because I'm with him on that.
February 1, 2017
"The Young journalist has an exceptional grasp of world affairs, which he attribute to his hyphenated identity. He says. 'Well I sometimes wonder. Am I South African? Am I an Indian? Am I a Muslim? Rather, more wonderfully, am I all these things blended into one and created for a purpose? I have been obsessed with these issues, Middle Eastern politics, migration, social justice, for long as I remember. It could be all because I am a a baby of the new South Africa. We were born into a miracle and an ideal, at the same time as our country reinvented itself and soothed the painful scars of racial oppression." Is Imran Garda writing about himself? Well, in this case they are the words of Yusuf Carrim, the protagonist in The Thunder That Roars, the debut novel by Garda.
A book I managed to read in two days, Garda brings his descriptive magic, wit, current affairs, identity, religion, travelling monologue and short bursts of African and Indian heritage and eccentricities into a seismic mix of intrigue and what happens next mode.
The characters in the book are full of flavour, from Barack the Somali refugee to Sukuzukuduma the Zimbabwean veteran patriach. Garda relates their stories intertwined into events and moments that any student of current affairs can relate to.
As someone who has worked in a newsroom there were instances in novel where I thought, damn, why couldn't live the professional life of Carrim, at times his experiences were too good to be true (but of course not with the emotional baggage related to his new found heritage), but nevertheless, who wouldn't want to be a famous international journalist jet setting the world and managing to deliver the odd Juma Khutbah?.
Garda, in my opinion strikes it gold by weaving the story of Carrim into the narratives of the Arab Spring, South African Indian Islam, racism, migrant workers and immigration coupled with a thorough description of life and surroundings of New York, Johannesburg, Bulawayo and Lampedusa. Similarly the characters of Yusuf, Jack, Fehmida and Naazim can be related to any man of Gujarati descent. I enjoyed studying these characters and their experiences, whether it was the realism of Yusuf, the panache and guilt of Jack, the unfulfilled yet material life of Fehmida and the 'son I never had' character of Naazim. I understood their complexities and mindsets as I for one felt I not only knew them but may have met their types in Sandton, Birmingham and Toronto.
If you are someone who has an understanding of identity politics, African society and a passion for international affairs coupled into a story of fiction where it is not related to a middle class European narrative then this book is the one for you. The Thunder That Roars is not only a debut novel for Imran Garda, but an inspiration for many current and former journalists that a career in literature writing can be achieved. I just can't wait for his second book.
A book I managed to read in two days, Garda brings his descriptive magic, wit, current affairs, identity, religion, travelling monologue and short bursts of African and Indian heritage and eccentricities into a seismic mix of intrigue and what happens next mode.
The characters in the book are full of flavour, from Barack the Somali refugee to Sukuzukuduma the Zimbabwean veteran patriach. Garda relates their stories intertwined into events and moments that any student of current affairs can relate to.
As someone who has worked in a newsroom there were instances in novel where I thought, damn, why couldn't live the professional life of Carrim, at times his experiences were too good to be true (but of course not with the emotional baggage related to his new found heritage), but nevertheless, who wouldn't want to be a famous international journalist jet setting the world and managing to deliver the odd Juma Khutbah?.
Garda, in my opinion strikes it gold by weaving the story of Carrim into the narratives of the Arab Spring, South African Indian Islam, racism, migrant workers and immigration coupled with a thorough description of life and surroundings of New York, Johannesburg, Bulawayo and Lampedusa. Similarly the characters of Yusuf, Jack, Fehmida and Naazim can be related to any man of Gujarati descent. I enjoyed studying these characters and their experiences, whether it was the realism of Yusuf, the panache and guilt of Jack, the unfulfilled yet material life of Fehmida and the 'son I never had' character of Naazim. I understood their complexities and mindsets as I for one felt I not only knew them but may have met their types in Sandton, Birmingham and Toronto.
If you are someone who has an understanding of identity politics, African society and a passion for international affairs coupled into a story of fiction where it is not related to a middle class European narrative then this book is the one for you. The Thunder That Roars is not only a debut novel for Imran Garda, but an inspiration for many current and former journalists that a career in literature writing can be achieved. I just can't wait for his second book.
April 18, 2015
A journey of redemption with a twist - the main character turns his back on redemption and stays as exploitative of others as he always was. Realistic as a metaphor for the west as a whole. So yusef is not easy to live with throughout this book. He is bright, had a blocked out past that is completely different to what he thinks, and he experiences trauma and witnesses first hand the poverty and brutal lives many people have to live in this world. And yet at the end he is not changed. A flawed book but not romantic - it challenges all of us to think about how much of our privileged lives we are prepared to give up for others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2015
I grabbed this book off a bookshop table in Cape Town when I was visiting last year. It's hard to imagine a more relevant piece of fiction today. It's an engrossing, fast paced, action packed story. What I most appreciate is that Garda doesn't shy away from difficult and uncomfortable topics in this book. He asks his readers to confront raw questions about fairness, equality and prejudice - to look in the mirror a bit. And he does it with moments of incredibly beautiful prose. That's the mark of a worthy novel for me: a thoughtful, well-written story that stays with you after you've closed the cover.
March 16, 2015
I probably got more from this book than I expected. I was introduced to it via a radio interview with Garda about the book and felt obliged to read it because, in many ways, it is a South African story as much as it is the story of those desperately seeking refuge from their despairing lives.
I do think the story tried to achieve too much and that the development of some of the characters was stunted as a result. Still, I look forward to more fiction from Garda.
I do think the story tried to achieve too much and that the development of some of the characters was stunted as a result. Still, I look forward to more fiction from Garda.
October 24, 2015
I wanted to enjoy this book, and it wasn't the story that led me to give up just over half way through; it was the dialogue. Clunky doesn't even begin to cover it. There were exchanges so bad that I had to read them out loud for my brain to process just how off their tone really was. It's a pity. Not one for me.
September 3, 2017
Perhaps I expected too much from a journo with an African background. The only time the novel worked for me was when Garda wrote about the North African migrants fleeing to Europe via the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews