Samson: What is is, and cannot otherwise be.

by Danie Adendorff

Samson Zondi is just 15 when his carefree teen-life becomes a nightmare. His parents die of Aids, and he becomes the sole support and provider for his three younger brothers. He has to face a hostile community determined to ostracize them, and discover the murderer of several members of his Church. His only ally is a girl he hates: Nelly, the daughter of his Father's betrayer, and the ultimate cause of his family's tragedy... Samson will have to use all the cunning and courage of his ancestors - Tshaka's fabled warriors - to defeat a hidden enemy, and make common cause with the lovely but irritating Nelly to unravel a mystery, and uncover the truth. Set in the lovely hills of Zululand, "SAMSON" is a revelation and a hymn to the lyrical Zulu Culture; a cry for help for the millions of Aids orphans in Africa, and above all a great read for the young and mature reader alike.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2015

Reviews

[Lynelle Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book from the author for an honest review.

The book is filled with symbolic, every story told within the book added to the plot which makes this story unique in its delivery. It is easy to read and understand; colorful and written with great empathy.
Betrayal and hatred was only the spark that fueled the message the author wanted to convey within this tale. A message that was well explained by the symbolic explanation. HIV/AIDS are topics that are the most discussed but yet the most misunderstood; especially, in the rural communities, in the heart of South Africa.
His simplistic approach to these subjects makes it easy to digest and is recommended to every person who would love to know more without breaking a sweat. The romance is very sweet and written with tenderness that speaks to the heart.
The story really touches the heart as you learn more about the characters and the lives they faced as orphans. The characters are well defined and strong, each playing his/her role perfectly within the story line to bring us this powerful story. You experience the loss and betrayal of these four boys as well as the heart ache they had to endure at the hands of evil.
The author's love for his region and his people can be seen through out: understanding the Zulu culture and their believes as he told this tale. This is truly story that must be read by one and all, its message to the point and the delivery superb.

[Manuela Cardiga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finished reading Danie Adendorff's SAMSON for the third time, and for the third time I have cried. Because Samson breaks my heart.

Samson is a a wonderful boy with a good heart and a bad temper doing his best in a harsh and unforgiving world. He is a boy struggling to bringing the ethics and values of his ancestors to bear on a corrupt and corrupting society. Samson courageously fights for justice and truth with the frail weapons of a child: belief and sincerity.

Samson wins, and in winning breaks our hearts.

SAMSON it is not a black African story, anymore than The Diary of Anne Frank is a Jewish story. It is a human story. A universal story told with crushing simplicity; the bitterest story of how childhood - the sweetest of times - can be poisoned by the treachery of the very society that should nurture and shelter our most vulnerable treasures: our children.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful story about courage and struggle and triumph. Though often sad and sometimes heart-breaking, there is also beauty in Samson's story, and Danie Adendorff has created a character whose strength and compassion stand out like a beacon in a world of cruel ignorance and shocking prejudice. The writing is fluid, almost lyrical, and the descriptions vivid, making the scenery and the characters come alive. The ending hit me hard; it was not what I expected, and yet, it felt right. This is not a light-hearted read, but it is one that drew me in and made me think, and Samson is a young man I will not easily forget.