Tell Freedom: Memories of Africa

by Peter Abrahams

Fifth Printing, November 1969. Alfred Knoph hardback

Genres: Africa, History, South Africa, Biography, Memoir, African Literature, Nonfiction

311 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Peter Abrahams was a South African-born Jamaican novelist, journalist and political commentator.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Abrahams - the veteran South African version (author) – writes tenderly yet powerfully. And he has been doing so for many decades, having been publishing books on his native country since the 40's!! In his books, including this one, he always comes across as a pacifist, or/and humanist. This is a man whose childhood was spent during the terrible times of discrimination among races in South Africa. This work is an early biography of his, and can move one to tears intermittently. We see from his childhood that the whiteman is "god". As a child he learnt this only too well when in a certain episode, to please the "white baas", the child receives a horrific whipping by his own guardians! This amidst other unfortunate episodes like a mishap at the (water) well, and his ill-judged juvenile attempts to steal. The author's early life is soured because of racial discrimination – but not only him; his family, his relatives...it goes on and on. Harrowingly. Ultimate despair. His love for writing however developed from a very early age, and for me, this is the most remarkable part of this work. There was virtually no encouragement for him in this wise, but he kept on writing, including penning striking poems as a kid. The powers-that-be even had to warn him against this (writing). His determination to leave the beleaguered country, to feel free, to write about "freedom" elsewhere (in other countries) is very commendable considering that era and its stultifying restraints. And so in the end the author takes to the sea, somewhat...That he went on to succeed as a writer - very well too, and inspiring many other African writers in the process, over the decades - might be regarded as icing on the cake. A remarkable man and writer.

[Henry Ozogula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose we the rather young of nowadays are handicapped in many ways, though literature tries to bridge many gaps. We just have to struggle to understand things in proper context; here the terrible suppression of black people in South Africa decades ago. Now, as "born free" Africans, we can only wonder: why did our people have to suffer too much in the past? What crimes did they commit to have such a burden? Why was it a curse to be born black then? Why was life at that time a living hell for them just to stay alive, to struggle so much all for nothing?; and to be filled with fear everytime a white man (baas) was around? Why, why, why??? In this book, this becomes even more haunting when one realises that the protagonist (author) is a fine man, who just wants to be recognised as a sensitive decent human being, as his teen-writings show. But the grim political, economic, social etc realities of the country at the time mean he would never be treated as an ordinary human being by the powers-that-be. And again it looks strange that at the time, though the whites were like "gods" even they had no television then, never mind mobile phones, internet etc. Abrahams writes very well, with a simplicity that would strike a chord anywhere. As readers we are very happy for him when he manages to escape the hell of his country...and go on to stamp his authority globally as a very good early African writer...

[Raphael Mokoena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this seminal autobiography, the horrific poverty that blights the lives of most blacks and "coloureds" is what strikes one most - contrasted with the good life always RESERVED FOR EUROPEANS.

One can feel the pain and frustration of the author throughout the work ... life is excruciatingly bad; and despite some rudimentary education, he still, eg had to "work" as a market boy" to survive. To his credit, the author does not in essence go into details of the horrifying poverty and deprivation; he generally leaves this to the imagination whilst just sketching in the facts. The following passage is typical:

"...And in this desert strip... men had made their homes. They had taken pieces of corrugated iron and tied them together with bits of string, wire and rope. They had piled sacking on top of this. The 'fortunate ' had made floors; the unfortunate had the sandy earth for floor. Into these hovels men had taken their women... They had called these places home. They had lain with their women. And their women had brought forth children. And the children grew, stunted as the shrubs on this desert strip..."

[Dayo Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say. I first read this book back in 73 or 74, it stirred in me then my first understanding of racism, something that I was completely oblivious to when growing up. Now some more than 45 years later I am lucky enough to have read it again, this time with more understanding after all the anti-aparthied demonstrations and marches, the release of Nelson Mandela, his Presidency, and his death. I can truly say that Peter Abrahams shaped my life. Tell Freedom is the only book I have read twice.

[Embla Isafold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most touching book where you gain insight the life of a coloured, white or black person during apartheid. The theme of the book, the apartheid regime and racism, is not innovative, however the way he tells is very original. Through telling his one amazing life story he also include us in other people’s fates.

I most definitely recommend the book, both for entertainment, because it is a very well written book, and also for learning and gaining insight. The subjects are still very present in the society and important for the history.

[Tittirossa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le tre stelle vanno all'edizione scolastica, pesantemente tagliata e corredata da un apparato per la comprensione del testo da orrore.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this book is out of print, but it's pretty close. The library only had 3 copies of it in MN which is really sad because this is an excellent quick read. Gives you a up-close and personal look at South Africia pre-apartheid... the dire poverty, the ugly face of prejudice without disguises, families broken up by working conditions and survival at all costs, a young boy who wants to read and write to create stories, this book has it all. I highly recommend it.

[Rowena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was 10 years old. It was probably my first African book. I remember being shocked by the racism Abraham experienced in South Africa during apartheid.

[J Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abrahams' memoir is a moving account of his youth in South Africa from his earliest memories until the end of his teens. Set during the 1920's and 30's before the official institution of apartheid, racial segregation and social caste is the defining feature of the country he grows up in - a fact he becomes increasingly conscious of as he grows older, grapples with ideas of manhood and heritage, experiences dire poverty and violence, and develops a love of language, which gives voice to his dreams and desires.

[Sylvia]

great read...really enlightning!

[Julie Reinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to read more by Abrahams...I haven't checked yet, but I really hope there is a follow-up memoir.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written and a fantastic story.

[Benoît · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Abrahams was a quiet Coloured man who became one of the first political writers in South Africa. This autobiography covers episodes of his childhood, of his intellectual growth, and his almost accidental political activism – by the simple fact of wanting to write and of considering himself a free independent mind.

Abrahams writes in a simple and truthful manner, in a language he learnt in his teens, although he is also very conscious of the fact that he is writing the tale of a country where millions were deprived of emancipation and forcefully kept in poverty, ignorance and disenfranchisement. Born in Johannesburg, Abrahams relied on his instincts, sense of moral rectitude, and maybe a few lucky encounters to become one of the few dark-skinned intellectuals of his time, which immediately made him a potentially dangerous agitator. It is a rare look into the 1930s-pre-WWII era, and a touching testimony of survival, coming to terms with segregation, and building a moral conscience.

[Oleksandr Fediienko · Rating 4 out of 5]

У своїй автобіографічній повісті Пітер Абрагамс змальовує життя від дитинства до відплиття до Англії. Народившись у кольоровій сім'ї, починав він у злидніх. Працювати доводилось з раннього віку, як і багатьом тодішнім дітям у його країні, але якось вдалося відучитися. Таке враження, що доля його кидала у всі боки, бо чогоз ним тільки не було. Хібо що проблем з владою він не мав (тільки наприкінці були натяки), але то, мабуть, тільки тому, що був ще молодий. І зрештою здійснив свою мрію - почав писати, щоб про його країну дізналося більше людей.

[Maggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story about Abrahams' childhood in South Africa before Apartheid. It's great that despite everything he is not bitter about his past.

[Abiodun Kuforiji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for the first time at the age of 13, it was my first insight into apartheid South Africa at the time......a major transition from the novels of Enid Blyton!

[Lydia Ugwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite memoir of all time. Peter Abrahams captures apartheid South Africa in an expressive way, you feel like you're part of the story.

[Marie Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dansk: Sig det til de frie

[Alex Kudera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I urge you to read this book.

[Ezie Amobi Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read indeed.

[Olayinka Mobolaji · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Novel is very touching,it takes you right to SA in 1954