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A SONG IN THE MORNING
A thriller about a British undercover agent in a jail in South Africa awaiting the death penalty and the determination of his son, who was abandoned 25 years earlier, to set him free.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
24 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Seymour
99 books289 followersGerald Seymour (born 25 November 1941 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British writer.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 9, 2016
A little one dimensional for me. Jack's character was not all that believable but I liked George. Impressive detail on explosives and bomb making.
August 20, 2020
I don’t know if this a 5-star book. It is difficult to judge because it happens in my country during a time I remember all too well and the story brought back so many memories.
South Africa, 1985-86. I can see Pritchard St and the corner of von Wielligh; I can smell the city and hear the taxis jostling at 5pm; I recognize the hatred of the black youth in the townships and the patronising platitudes of the government officials. I remember clearly the white ma’am mentality that let the dishes pile up in the sink during the maid’s day off, secure in the knowledge that on Monday they’d be clean, or the jail warden who would berate a man in death row for smoking too much, which was bad for one’s health.
Those were days of hangings, urban bombings, golf in the country clubs and protests in the townships. Caspirs and cocktails. Yet there was a guileless veneer to life; South Africa in the 80s was a country of uncouth naiveté that got under my skin and into my heart.
The story is sad and a bit uni-dimensional but I loved reading it.
South Africa, 1985-86. I can see Pritchard St and the corner of von Wielligh; I can smell the city and hear the taxis jostling at 5pm; I recognize the hatred of the black youth in the townships and the patronising platitudes of the government officials. I remember clearly the white ma’am mentality that let the dishes pile up in the sink during the maid’s day off, secure in the knowledge that on Monday they’d be clean, or the jail warden who would berate a man in death row for smoking too much, which was bad for one’s health.
Those were days of hangings, urban bombings, golf in the country clubs and protests in the townships. Caspirs and cocktails. Yet there was a guileless veneer to life; South Africa in the 80s was a country of uncouth naiveté that got under my skin and into my heart.
The story is sad and a bit uni-dimensional but I loved reading it.
May 1, 2024
The turns in the story were quite abrupt and I couldn’t get used to the flow; I however enjoyed it mostly
October 14, 2025
This is a difficult book to review as I am left with differing opinions of. Firstly it is a well written thriller, packed with detail and though there is less action than is often the case with Seymour what there is, is well done. Although I enjoyed it and give it 3 stars the book (wanted to give 4 but can't bring myself to) is not without its' problems.
1) Jack is really an anti-hero in the story. As he sets out to willingly commit acts of violence against South African authorities in order to free his dad (who hasn't seen for over 15 years) from death row. Stories written from the point of view of a criminal, terrorist etc. are nothing new but this one felt wrong as the protagonist is a run of the mill civilian and I'm not convinced it works.
2) Secondly Jack is an untrained person with a a few hours of watching an explosive expert as part of his job, and a few instructions. We are supposed to believe that this person can go into Apartheid South Africa and storm a prison the security services (for whom his dad worked) is not stormable. This stretches belief a bit far for me.
The ending was sad and in its own way disappointing, although logical killing off both Jack and his father was the only way the book could end, without seeming to champion anarchy /terrorism.
1) Jack is really an anti-hero in the story. As he sets out to willingly commit acts of violence against South African authorities in order to free his dad (who hasn't seen for over 15 years) from death row. Stories written from the point of view of a criminal, terrorist etc. are nothing new but this one felt wrong as the protagonist is a run of the mill civilian and I'm not convinced it works.
2) Secondly Jack is an untrained person with a a few hours of watching an explosive expert as part of his job, and a few instructions. We are supposed to believe that this person can go into Apartheid South Africa and storm a prison the security services (for whom his dad worked) is not stormable. This stretches belief a bit far for me.
The ending was sad and in its own way disappointing, although logical killing off both Jack and his father was the only way the book could end, without seeming to champion anarchy /terrorism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2019
This was my second book by Gerald Seymour . I couldn't help but notice a commonality it shares with "Archangel". For me , it was hope , the way faith of one man survived in the brutal face of hopelessness. The book was written beautifully , with words capturing the exact emotions of the characters . The names of characters,the plot , the unfolding of story. - I loved every single part of it. Except the ending which I found a little too abrupt. Splashed water over my curiosity of knowing how jack and jeez would have pulled over the situation till the end. But never mind , overall a good read in my books 😘
October 10, 2017
Probably the most gripping Seymour book I have read so far. Excellent pace and good characterisation throughout. A simple story of a boy and his father set against the backdrop of apartheid South Africa and the politics of the clandestine services. Brilliant.
March 17, 2020
Another fine, tense tale from Mr Seymour. Street level action in So Africa that gives the reader a stripped down view of Black vs White urban life in the 80's. Climactic storytelling that reaches an emotional and inevitable conclusion. Don't miss this book & this gifted author!
August 14, 2018
Great fast paced action adventure. Hard to put down.
September 17, 2018
I’ve heard a lot about this book and finally got around to reading it. It didn’t disappoint.
May 12, 2019
Not as good as Archangel.
January 16, 2020
A bit slow at the start. A great read. Action packed at the end. Sucks about the ending though.
March 11, 2020
Another great read, hit some chords. Amazing author.
November 26, 2020
Superb
A gripping story an insight for a time part of my lifetime but unknown to mr.!
Well balanced and informative!
A gripping story an insight for a time part of my lifetime but unknown to mr.!
Well balanced and informative!
October 27, 2024
massive.the best book ever read....!
August 13, 2016
A fascinating insight into South Africa in the years before Mandela was released. The main character was reminiscent of one of Seymour's earlier (or was it later) characters who worked as a VAT inspector and went to the Balkans. A thoroughly entertaining read - his work is superb and right on the button for entertaining and informing me.
July 5, 2013
The author really did his research well! Especially with regards to prison procedures and it's layout. His description of the "fictional" facility borders on reality!
The story may be fiction, but this is what really happened in South Africa.
The story may be fiction, but this is what really happened in South Africa.
December 1, 2014
I read this under another title, Shadow on the Sun. Amazing historical research, as always, and exceptional writing.
December 14, 2016
Enjoyed it but a bit far fetched.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews