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When Morning Comes
Zanele is skipping school and secretly plotting against the apartheid government. The police can't know. Her mother and sister can't know.
Her best friend Thabo, schoolboy turned gang member, can tell she's up to something. But he has troubles of his own—a deal gone wrong and some powerful enemies.
Across the bridge, in the wealthy white suburbs, Jack plans to spend his last days in Johannesburg burning miles on his beat-up Mustang—until he meets a girl with an unforgettable face from the simmering black township—Soweto.
Working in her father's shop, Meena finds a packet of banned pamphlets. They lead to a mysterious black girl with a secret, a dangerous gangster with an expensive taste in clothes, and an engaging white boy who drives a battered red car.
A series of chance meetings changes everything.
A chain of events is set in motion—a failed plot, a murdered teacher, and a secret movement of students that has spread across the township.
And the students will rise.
Her best friend Thabo, schoolboy turned gang member, can tell she's up to something. But he has troubles of his own—a deal gone wrong and some powerful enemies.
Across the bridge, in the wealthy white suburbs, Jack plans to spend his last days in Johannesburg burning miles on his beat-up Mustang—until he meets a girl with an unforgettable face from the simmering black township—Soweto.
Working in her father's shop, Meena finds a packet of banned pamphlets. They lead to a mysterious black girl with a secret, a dangerous gangster with an expensive taste in clothes, and an engaging white boy who drives a battered red car.
A series of chance meetings changes everything.
A chain of events is set in motion—a failed plot, a murdered teacher, and a secret movement of students that has spread across the township.
And the students will rise.
222 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2017
27 people are currently reading
891 people want to read
About the author
Arushi Raina
3 books32 followersArushi grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. So far, She's also lived in Egypt, Nigeria, India, the US, UK, and most recently, Canada.
She likes intricate plots, flawed characters, chases, escapes, and sentences that just make you stop and wonder.
Besides writing, Arushi enjoys travelling, arguments, and long car rides. As a day job, Arushi works as a consultant. One day she’ll explain what that means.
She likes intricate plots, flawed characters, chases, escapes, and sentences that just make you stop and wonder.
Besides writing, Arushi enjoys travelling, arguments, and long car rides. As a day job, Arushi works as a consultant. One day she’ll explain what that means.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
May 28, 2017
4.5 stars. What a powerful story! My heart's still pounding. And I learned so much. I knew about apartheid, or thought I did. But the Soweto Riots were new to me. They happened when I was six years old, and so far this is the first thing I've ever read about them.
I loved how different the four MCs (one white, one Indian, two black) were, how they showed the life of Johannesburg and the story of the Riots from such different angles. I loved how raw and real their stories felt -- nothing too neat or predictable. How things didn't work out as they expected or planned, and sometimes they hardly knew themselves why they were making certain choices or what they would do next. It made the story feel visceral and immediate; it also made them all very believable adolescents.
The writing style is powerful too -- spare but not simplistic. It fits the profile of YA, but it could easily crossover to the adult market (and I think it should).
I've read a review which seemed mildly critical of the way Raina plunges the reader into the setting and peppers the narrative with Zulu and/or Afrikaaner slang which at first can be a bit hard for a North American reader to understand. But often the meaning of these phrases is pretty easy to infer from the context, and if not there's a perfectly fine glossary at the back and it doesn't take long to catch up. (Personally, if I could get away with saying "Thula wena" without being an obnoxious mlungu I would, because a milder version of "shut up" could be very handy.)
For parents and others wondering about "content" issues, there is certainly some violence (for obvious reasons, because it was a violent incident in South African history), but it's not excessively or gorily described -- the style is more journalistic than sensuous (which in a way makes it hit even harder, because you can imagine what's not being said). The book has three or four profanities at most, and always in Afrikaans (not that you can't guess what the word is, but it doesn't have quite the same effect as seeing it in English). No blasphemy or anti-religious content. Sexuality is minimal and of the fade-to-black variety, so less explicit than many books teens are reading in high school.
Anyway, this is a very fine book and more people should read it. I hope they do.
I loved how different the four MCs (one white, one Indian, two black) were, how they showed the life of Johannesburg and the story of the Riots from such different angles. I loved how raw and real their stories felt -- nothing too neat or predictable. How things didn't work out as they expected or planned, and sometimes they hardly knew themselves why they were making certain choices or what they would do next. It made the story feel visceral and immediate; it also made them all very believable adolescents.
The writing style is powerful too -- spare but not simplistic. It fits the profile of YA, but it could easily crossover to the adult market (and I think it should).
I've read a review which seemed mildly critical of the way Raina plunges the reader into the setting and peppers the narrative with Zulu and/or Afrikaaner slang which at first can be a bit hard for a North American reader to understand. But often the meaning of these phrases is pretty easy to infer from the context, and if not there's a perfectly fine glossary at the back and it doesn't take long to catch up. (Personally, if I could get away with saying "Thula wena" without being an obnoxious mlungu I would, because a milder version of "shut up" could be very handy.)
For parents and others wondering about "content" issues, there is certainly some violence (for obvious reasons, because it was a violent incident in South African history), but it's not excessively or gorily described -- the style is more journalistic than sensuous (which in a way makes it hit even harder, because you can imagine what's not being said). The book has three or four profanities at most, and always in Afrikaans (not that you can't guess what the word is, but it doesn't have quite the same effect as seeing it in English). No blasphemy or anti-religious content. Sexuality is minimal and of the fade-to-black variety, so less explicit than many books teens are reading in high school.
Anyway, this is a very fine book and more people should read it. I hope they do.
January 21, 2023
I got this book in 2018 but finished it today. It's a slim volume at 264 pages but still somehow the story didn't take off back then. When I started the book again this year, it took it's time to warm up. While it is a multiple perspective story from the points of view of Thabo, Meena, Jack and Zanele, it has the Soweto uprising of 1976 at its emotional heart and also a healing love story of Jack and Zanele, the interracial couple.
Till about chapter 14, the story chugs along. We get to know the characters slowly and intensely. After chapter 14, the pace picks up when the violence of the Soweto uprising bursts into the narrative. This is when the book actually started to work for me.
This is a story of the highly inequal and dangerously interlinked lives of black, white and brown communities in South Africa. I always felt that this story of students rising up against the unfair Bantu Educational law, where Afkrikaans was set to replace English as the lingua franca depriving black people of a valuable education, needed telling and retelling. I just didn't expect an Indian writer to do so. That's been a pleasant surprise.
Though the book is classified as YA literature, I think it's for everyone.
Till about chapter 14, the story chugs along. We get to know the characters slowly and intensely. After chapter 14, the pace picks up when the violence of the Soweto uprising bursts into the narrative. This is when the book actually started to work for me.
This is a story of the highly inequal and dangerously interlinked lives of black, white and brown communities in South Africa. I always felt that this story of students rising up against the unfair Bantu Educational law, where Afkrikaans was set to replace English as the lingua franca depriving black people of a valuable education, needed telling and retelling. I just didn't expect an Indian writer to do so. That's been a pleasant surprise.
Though the book is classified as YA literature, I think it's for everyone.
September 10, 2017
When Morning Comes is a terrific YA novel that should be getting hella more attention than it is. It's the story of four South African teenagers on the eve of the Soweto Uprising -- a black girl involved in the planning of the uprising, her friend who has recently become a gang member, a white suburban boy killing time before he goes to university, and an Indian shop-owner's daughter who comes to know all three of them. Raina tells a wonderful story that manages to avoid didacticism entirely: Her characters aren't learning life lessons so much as they are doing life. The book feels particularly timely in this current political moment, as all four protagonists have to grapple, in their different ways, with living in an oppressive regime and deciding how they're going to respond to it. Much recommended.
June 1, 2020
As a South African (Gen z) it was so cool to learn about apartheid from a source other than our textbooks, which I don't think can accurately depict how degrading and violent apartheid often was. Don't get me wrong, we learn about it, but it's always from a much more objective view than this.
In that sense, this book helped me understand how it was then, to a much bigger extent.
'When Morning Comes' also shows that while glaringly obvious, discriminating systematic and institutionalized racism is absolutely inhumane and disgusting, smaller, subtler things, like little comments, or even just how people perceive others, can be damaging.
To conclude: excellent book, offers detailed information fed to you seamlessly through realistic characters, and I highly recommend it.
In that sense, this book helped me understand how it was then, to a much bigger extent.
'When Morning Comes' also shows that while glaringly obvious, discriminating systematic and institutionalized racism is absolutely inhumane and disgusting, smaller, subtler things, like little comments, or even just how people perceive others, can be damaging.
To conclude: excellent book, offers detailed information fed to you seamlessly through realistic characters, and I highly recommend it.
August 9, 2016
When Morning Comes has many young voices that draw the reader in and introduce him/her to the Soweto Uprising faithfully. I enjoyed following the character of Zenele. She is strong and determined albeit sometimes careless. But aren't all teenagers. The book challenges the walls built by Apartheid bringing characters from different backgrounds together in one story and letting them speak for themselves.
It's a very enjoyable read and I think it relates to our time, where racism and violence against black people, in the US specially, is still prevalent.
Well done for a first novel and looking forward to reading more of Arushi's work!
It's a very enjoyable read and I think it relates to our time, where racism and violence against black people, in the US specially, is still prevalent.
Well done for a first novel and looking forward to reading more of Arushi's work!
April 30, 2017
This book had a very interesting concept. However, I believe it could have been executed much better. Because the book was so short, we didn't have very much time with the characters or to really understand the slang being used. The writing was not bad, just not amazing and that is what really held this book back. The characters went from not really knowing each other to deeply caring about each other and, as the reader, I did not know how or when this happened. Overall, the book is good. An interesting history of South Africa, but yeah. Just good.
May 31, 2017
Excellent story of Soweto Uprising--the beginning of the end of Apartheid.
Read
October 24, 2017Without any connection to the characters (all of their voices sound the same), the story didn't do anything for me, so I dropped it. I didn't get the same sense of pacing and adventure other readers did. I found things picked up around the 100 page mark, but by then, I had already checked out. The first 30-40 pages, though, were rough.
November 17, 2016
Arusha Raina gives a compelling account of the Soweto uprising of 1976, told through the eyes of four young people. This gripping story of a watershed moment in South Africa's history is an important book, it tells a story of apartheid history that can't be recreated in a textbook. Recommended.
April 11, 2024
Great story to listen to. I was sad when it ended. I wanted the story to continue.
October 13, 2019
4.5 stars
This is a book I'm going to think about for a long time. It is a story of friendship, of perseverance, of the power of children and of hope.
I came to South Africa with very little knowledge of the countries' history; I had read Trevor Noah's Born a Crime and seen the episode of Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain set in Johannesburg. I had heard of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela but that was pretty much it. I would be spending 4.5 months in a country I knew almost nothing about. I knew that I would have to fix this. I promised myself that while in country I would read at least one book written by a South African author, hopefully one written by a woman of color. Hoping to learn more about Apartheid, to learn of the stories' you don't normally get to hear.
When Morning Comes, while fiction, certainly delivered. The story chronicles the Soweto Youth Uprisings from the perspective of four children; two Black, one Indian, and one white. On the surface these children don't have much in common. Zanele is growing up with her mother and sister in a shack in the township, singing at a shebeen in the evenings to make ends meet, and helping to plan the uprising during the evening. Thabo is a gang member, striving to pay back his leader and bring down the abo gabo (police). Meena works at her father's store during the day time but dreams of being a doctor and helping to bring down the oppressive Apartheid regime. Jack, the most surprising of the bunch, lives in the white suburbs of Johannesburg. He has just graduated and is planing on attending Oxford in the fall, and his parents could not be prouder. Everything changes when the four lives intertwine, and ending the use of Afrikaans in township schools becomes a personal fight for the bunch. But the uprising does not go as planned and the four must combine forces to come out alive while still standing up for what is right.
This story was amazing, the writing style constantly kept you on your toes and dying to turn the page. The only reason this didn't get a full five stars from me is because I wish there was more. More detail. I think this book had some parts that could've been further developed for clarity. I think it would be hard for a reader with no background on the Soweto Youth Uprisings to understand the premise of the story and I wish that some of the scenes towards the end were more fleshed out. But, this is a story I will cherish and recommend nonetheless, the power of children and young adults is amazing and should never be undermined.
This is a book I'm going to think about for a long time. It is a story of friendship, of perseverance, of the power of children and of hope.
I came to South Africa with very little knowledge of the countries' history; I had read Trevor Noah's Born a Crime and seen the episode of Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain set in Johannesburg. I had heard of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela but that was pretty much it. I would be spending 4.5 months in a country I knew almost nothing about. I knew that I would have to fix this. I promised myself that while in country I would read at least one book written by a South African author, hopefully one written by a woman of color. Hoping to learn more about Apartheid, to learn of the stories' you don't normally get to hear.
When Morning Comes, while fiction, certainly delivered. The story chronicles the Soweto Youth Uprisings from the perspective of four children; two Black, one Indian, and one white. On the surface these children don't have much in common. Zanele is growing up with her mother and sister in a shack in the township, singing at a shebeen in the evenings to make ends meet, and helping to plan the uprising during the evening. Thabo is a gang member, striving to pay back his leader and bring down the abo gabo (police). Meena works at her father's store during the day time but dreams of being a doctor and helping to bring down the oppressive Apartheid regime. Jack, the most surprising of the bunch, lives in the white suburbs of Johannesburg. He has just graduated and is planing on attending Oxford in the fall, and his parents could not be prouder. Everything changes when the four lives intertwine, and ending the use of Afrikaans in township schools becomes a personal fight for the bunch. But the uprising does not go as planned and the four must combine forces to come out alive while still standing up for what is right.
This story was amazing, the writing style constantly kept you on your toes and dying to turn the page. The only reason this didn't get a full five stars from me is because I wish there was more. More detail. I think this book had some parts that could've been further developed for clarity. I think it would be hard for a reader with no background on the Soweto Youth Uprisings to understand the premise of the story and I wish that some of the scenes towards the end were more fleshed out. But, this is a story I will cherish and recommend nonetheless, the power of children and young adults is amazing and should never be undermined.
August 27, 2018
Historical YA fiction, with the Soweto uprising of June 1976 central to the story.
Different kinds of courage are required of four young people. There are the brave teenage girls, revolutionary schoolgirl Zanele, and resourceful Meena, a shopkeeper’s daughter who starts helping out at a clinic, but also serves as a go-between for those pupils organising the mass protest against the “baas law” (the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction), and again later as the leaders are forced to flee. Then there’s privileged white boy Jack, whose life, attitude and values all change when he meets Zanele, and tsotsi Thabo, enigmatic, conscienceless, and yet all too human. All four are very well-realised.
The brutality of the apartheid police, and the insensitivity and lack of imagination and empathy (at best) of affluent whites are rendered in a series of short scenes.
The novel is fast-paced and dramatic. Slightly disconcerting to a South African reader (in the edition I read) was the spelling of certain words – paap for pap, and Coobus instead of Cobus, and an error in the glossary at the end. I understand that a South African publisher is bringing out a new edition, so probably these will be corrected.
Different kinds of courage are required of four young people. There are the brave teenage girls, revolutionary schoolgirl Zanele, and resourceful Meena, a shopkeeper’s daughter who starts helping out at a clinic, but also serves as a go-between for those pupils organising the mass protest against the “baas law” (the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction), and again later as the leaders are forced to flee. Then there’s privileged white boy Jack, whose life, attitude and values all change when he meets Zanele, and tsotsi Thabo, enigmatic, conscienceless, and yet all too human. All four are very well-realised.
The brutality of the apartheid police, and the insensitivity and lack of imagination and empathy (at best) of affluent whites are rendered in a series of short scenes.
The novel is fast-paced and dramatic. Slightly disconcerting to a South African reader (in the edition I read) was the spelling of certain words – paap for pap, and Coobus instead of Cobus, and an error in the glossary at the end. I understand that a South African publisher is bringing out a new edition, so probably these will be corrected.
Read
June 22, 2018This was my first time reading historical fiction set around apartheid tragedies. Arushi does a sterling job in putting ordinary people in the events leading to and on June 16, 1976. Beyond the iconic Hector Peterson image. The book is a little young , in terms of depth but these were teens so it all fits.
June 21, 2019
With everything I found wrong with this book aside, it tells a very important story, and it is important for us as South Africans and as the world to always remember, so that we can do better.
June 9, 2020
A very good book about four teenagers whose paths cross in South Africa during the Soweto uprising. The story is told from four alternating points of view and is very absorbing. It explores themes race, privilege, love, friendship, and freedom.
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May 15, 2022Got an audio of this book from Audiobooks Sync 2022
April 10, 2023
Soweto and Johannesburg; the cusp of apartheid, multiple perspectives… an interesting and enlightening read
February 28, 2023
If i’m being honest, i only read this books as our school is forcing us to read 7+ books from a list of books that the teachers compiled themselves. This was the first book i picked out, i could not be anymore happy about my choice. This book is for sure one of my favourite and i will never forget this story and these characters in this book. I really underestimated South African authors, even being a South African myself. I will be sad to pass this book on to the next person as i never want to see it go but i am happy for someone else to read and experience this amazing book. I love this book with all my heart.
I loved having an Indian perspective as i can relate. Everything about this book is amazing and i will continue to recommend it.
“I wait for it” ~ Meena
I loved having an Indian perspective as i can relate. Everything about this book is amazing and i will continue to recommend it.
“I wait for it” ~ Meena
September 20, 2016
Four distinct voices interweave to bring the 1976 Soweto uprising to life, a painful and seminal moment in the history of South Africa. Realistic portrayals and believable action and tension. The spectre of Apartheid hovers over every scene, but each of the characters embodies resilience in one form or another. Highly recommended.
August 12, 2022
Notes: I really couldn’t stop reading this book even with a headache. I kept wanting to know what happened next quickly from the various points of views changing, I liked Zanele and Meena’s perspectives the most. Since this was based on extremely sad historical events, the story was very emotionally impactful, so I won’t forget this for a long time.
May 27, 2022
Really enjoyable. At first I didn't like how short some of the character's sections were as the book switches between POVs, but it kind of adds to the sense of urgency and desperation. This would be an awesome movie, I hope they make an adaptation.
June 13, 2022
I normally do not read YA fiction, but was drawn to this book in preparation to hear the author speak. It is well written and gives great insight into the struggle for civil rights in South Africa in the 1970s. I highly recommend it.
August 13, 2022
A great debut. Fellow Vassar grad--I attended a Zoom discussion with her and she said she did not have much if any support from her advisor while writing the book. This disappoints me. Fiction writing is important and should be nurtured in college! Keep writing, Arushi!
November 13, 2017
When Morning Comes was published last year by Tradewind Books, a small Canadian publisher committed to multicultural children’s publishing and flew completely under my radar. It’s a timely novel, with nationalism, white oppression and the struggles of the marginalised making headlines in the US and the UK.
I was a child in the seventies, a teenager in the eighties and the anti-apartheid struggle was very much in the news and in our consciousness as we sang along to the Special AKA and stopped buying South African oranges.
But even I only had vague recollections of the Soweto uprising, without full knowledge of its historical context, the utterly repressive regime it protested against and the trigger it became for the antiapartheid movement.
This is a fictional account told in four voices: two black teens from Soweto, Zanele and Thabo, Meena, a South African Indian schoolgirl and Jack a wealthy white kid. Reading it was both an education and an eye-opener.
The novel is short, carefully crafted and told at a compelling pace with the protagonists’ voices remaining distinct, as these four kids from very different walks of life cross paths.
I don’t have a detailed enough knowledge of South Africa to comment on how authentic or otherwise the world depicted is, or how accurate the history is and I’d love to read some South African reviewer perspectives.
A really interesting read, a stunning debut and a book I’d like to see more widely talked about and read in the U.K. 12+
I was a child in the seventies, a teenager in the eighties and the anti-apartheid struggle was very much in the news and in our consciousness as we sang along to the Special AKA and stopped buying South African oranges.
But even I only had vague recollections of the Soweto uprising, without full knowledge of its historical context, the utterly repressive regime it protested against and the trigger it became for the antiapartheid movement.
This is a fictional account told in four voices: two black teens from Soweto, Zanele and Thabo, Meena, a South African Indian schoolgirl and Jack a wealthy white kid. Reading it was both an education and an eye-opener.
The novel is short, carefully crafted and told at a compelling pace with the protagonists’ voices remaining distinct, as these four kids from very different walks of life cross paths.
I don’t have a detailed enough knowledge of South Africa to comment on how authentic or otherwise the world depicted is, or how accurate the history is and I’d love to read some South African reviewer perspectives.
A really interesting read, a stunning debut and a book I’d like to see more widely talked about and read in the U.K. 12+
September 16, 2018
When Morning Comes vertelt het verhaal van vier tieners ten tijde van de Apartheid in Zuid- Afrika. We volgen een blanke jongen van een welgestelde familie, een Indiaans meisje dat de dochter is van een supermarkthouder en twee zwarte jongeren die in Soweto wonen. Terwijl alles in het werk wordt gezet om de 'Soweto Riots' op gang te krijgen, bloeit er een zeldzame vriendschap tussen deze vier personages op.
Ondanks dat het plot niet heel bijzonder klinkt, is het dat zeker wel. Arushi Raina verwerkt een heleboel historische feiten van de Apartheid en de rellen in haar verhaal, wat het verhaal indrukwekkend, informatief en rauw maakt. Niet alleen worden de plannen voor de opstand bedacht, maar ook lezen we hoe hard het leven toendertijd was. Dat dienstmeisjes niets meer waren dan hulp voor blanken. Dat de politie onnodig grof en hard optrad. Dat er zoveel haat en woede onder de mensen was. En zo kan het lijstje nog wel een tijdje doorgaan. De rauwheid wordt wel enigszins verzacht doordat er door de personages empathie wordt opgewekt. Naast alle narigheid is er toch ook ruimte voor liefde en vriendschappen.
Met regelmaat wordt er gebruik gemaakt van 'slang' en hoewel de Afrikaanse woorden goed te herleiden zijn voor ons als Nederlanders, is het toch fijn dat er een verklarende woordenlijst achterin het boek staat. Naast Afrikaans, worden er ook woorden in Zulu gebruikt en die zijn wat lastiger te herleiden.
Het verhaal is erg snel en het is dan ook jammer dat het boek slechts 222 pagina's telt. Meer pagina's had een betere uitwerking van de personages kunnen geven, waardoor het wellicht een vijfsterrenboek geworden was. Nu blijf ik haken op vier sterren, omdat het net niet volledig voelt.
Ondanks dat het plot niet heel bijzonder klinkt, is het dat zeker wel. Arushi Raina verwerkt een heleboel historische feiten van de Apartheid en de rellen in haar verhaal, wat het verhaal indrukwekkend, informatief en rauw maakt. Niet alleen worden de plannen voor de opstand bedacht, maar ook lezen we hoe hard het leven toendertijd was. Dat dienstmeisjes niets meer waren dan hulp voor blanken. Dat de politie onnodig grof en hard optrad. Dat er zoveel haat en woede onder de mensen was. En zo kan het lijstje nog wel een tijdje doorgaan. De rauwheid wordt wel enigszins verzacht doordat er door de personages empathie wordt opgewekt. Naast alle narigheid is er toch ook ruimte voor liefde en vriendschappen.
Met regelmaat wordt er gebruik gemaakt van 'slang' en hoewel de Afrikaanse woorden goed te herleiden zijn voor ons als Nederlanders, is het toch fijn dat er een verklarende woordenlijst achterin het boek staat. Naast Afrikaans, worden er ook woorden in Zulu gebruikt en die zijn wat lastiger te herleiden.
Het verhaal is erg snel en het is dan ook jammer dat het boek slechts 222 pagina's telt. Meer pagina's had een betere uitwerking van de personages kunnen geven, waardoor het wellicht een vijfsterrenboek geworden was. Nu blijf ik haken op vier sterren, omdat het net niet volledig voelt.
July 27, 2019
3.5 stars. Part of the NOW (Not our War) series, takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1976 during the time of the Soweto uprisings. 4 characters representing the Black (2x), White & Indian perspectives.
Good story, builds up nicely giving context to what was going on at the time and a very nice twist at the end. Felt the character development could have been a bit stronger with a bit more on the inner lives of the characters. The short chapters from each perspective made for a bit choppy / superficial writing, but makes it accessible for the middle-grade reader. For YA / Adult I would expect something more in-depth. We're left a bit hanging on the relationship between Meena & Zanele - does Meena want to leave with her for political or personal reasons?
All in all a good and welcome read on a complex topic.
Good story, builds up nicely giving context to what was going on at the time and a very nice twist at the end. Felt the character development could have been a bit stronger with a bit more on the inner lives of the characters. The short chapters from each perspective made for a bit choppy / superficial writing, but makes it accessible for the middle-grade reader. For YA / Adult I would expect something more in-depth. We're left a bit hanging on the relationship between Meena & Zanele - does Meena want to leave with her for political or personal reasons?
All in all a good and welcome read on a complex topic.
July 6, 2018
A thrilling read telling the story of four young people living in Apartheid South Africa leading up to the Soweto Student Uprising.
Fast paced as it switches from character to character, giving their unique perspectives on the rising tensions in their town. Complex and multilayered, with the characters growing as they come to understand each other's different lives.
Gives a primer for people, like myself, with little knowledge of this time in history, but the story is firmly rooted in the lived experiences of the young protagonists. A definite page turner as the narrators' lives race towards a deadly confrontation that none of them can get out of unscathed. Would recommend to readers of any age group.
Fast paced as it switches from character to character, giving their unique perspectives on the rising tensions in their town. Complex and multilayered, with the characters growing as they come to understand each other's different lives.
Gives a primer for people, like myself, with little knowledge of this time in history, but the story is firmly rooted in the lived experiences of the young protagonists. A definite page turner as the narrators' lives race towards a deadly confrontation that none of them can get out of unscathed. Would recommend to readers of any age group.
August 30, 2018
'When Morning Comes' is a must-read for all South African teenagers.
The fact that Arushi tells the events surrounding the Soweto Uprising using the perspectives of the youth is refreshing and essential.
The topic of apartheid is assessed in the South African Grade 9 History curriculum and often the students feel far removed from the events that took place that shaped our country's history. I believe this novel can bridge the gap and help our youth engage with our past on a more personal level.
And not to mention, the story is progressively gripping and I was unable to put the book down.
Forbidden love, action, (appropriate)humour, friendship, survival - it's all in there.
The fact that Arushi tells the events surrounding the Soweto Uprising using the perspectives of the youth is refreshing and essential.
The topic of apartheid is assessed in the South African Grade 9 History curriculum and often the students feel far removed from the events that took place that shaped our country's history. I believe this novel can bridge the gap and help our youth engage with our past on a more personal level.
And not to mention, the story is progressively gripping and I was unable to put the book down.
Forbidden love, action, (appropriate)humour, friendship, survival - it's all in there.
April 7, 2019
When Morning Comes absolutely blew me away! I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Raina at a book signing at my school. When I heard her explain the premise and read an excerpt, I couldn't wait to read the book and learn more about the Soweto Uprising. This book definitely lived up to my expectations. Here's what I loved about the book.
When Morning Comes is told from multiple perspectives, which means you get to see inside the mind of each character. All the characters are well developed, but Zanele shines especially bright. Her romance with Jack felt organic and lovely. All the interactions between the characters were really well done, especially Meena and Thabo at the end of the book. I really liked the pacing of the plot and the natural sounding dialogue. The ending was satisfying, but you still get the sense that the story isn't over. The characters will all keep working to change their world. All in all, this was an impressive debut, and I can't wait to see what Ms. Raina writes next!
When Morning Comes is told from multiple perspectives, which means you get to see inside the mind of each character. All the characters are well developed, but Zanele shines especially bright. Her romance with Jack felt organic and lovely. All the interactions between the characters were really well done, especially Meena and Thabo at the end of the book. I really liked the pacing of the plot and the natural sounding dialogue. The ending was satisfying, but you still get the sense that the story isn't over. The characters will all keep working to change their world. All in all, this was an impressive debut, and I can't wait to see what Ms. Raina writes next!
April 13, 2019
What a good read! For those who don't like multiple narrators, this might not be for you, but it is more like these narrators are different camera angles than entirely different stories.
Really human portrayal of events leading up to the Soweto Uprising.
Interesting collection of views and pieces of the puzzles.
YA without all the histrionics that are sometimes included in YA.
Didn't actually take me 5 days, just got sick in the middle of it.
Will put this on my APWH summer reading list.
Full disclosure: received this book from An Open Book event at my high school where the author also graciously talked to my students about events in South Africa (including the pencil test) and writing in general.
Really human portrayal of events leading up to the Soweto Uprising.
Interesting collection of views and pieces of the puzzles.
YA without all the histrionics that are sometimes included in YA.
Didn't actually take me 5 days, just got sick in the middle of it.
Will put this on my APWH summer reading list.
Full disclosure: received this book from An Open Book event at my high school where the author also graciously talked to my students about events in South Africa (including the pencil test) and writing in general.
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