Emergency

by Richard Rive

This is not a modern reprint, print-on-demand or facsimile copy. It is a hardcover book published with a dust jacket price of $18.95 (12.95 pounds in UK) by Readers International, 8 Strathray Gardens, London NW3 4NY. Printed and bound in Malta by Interprint Ltd. The oppressive nature of life under South Africa's state of emergency is revealed in a novel relating the conflict between a father and his politically-involved son, who is determined to overthrow the apartheid system at any cost. the author, Richard Moore Rive (1931 –1989) was a South African writer and academic, who was from Cape Town. Two weeks after completion of this book, he was stabbed to death at his home in Cape Town in 1989, when he was aged 58.

Genres: South Africa, Africa, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Oriol Castells Marín · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story diving into the events that followed Sharpville's massacre. A big "must" to understand Apartheid from a colored high-school teacher's perspective.

[Jarret Lovell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about the aftermath of the Sharpville protests and massacre, as seen through the eyes of a South African "coloured" teacher. To be sure, "coloured" is the politically-correct term for a racial category that is neither "white" nor "black" nor "mixed." (For an outstanding description, see Trevor Noah's fantastic book BORN A CRIME.). As coloured have often described themselves as neither black enough nor white enough, they occupied an interesting position during apartheid, and continue to do so in post-apartheid. During apartheid, they had more privileges than blacks (and could sometimes pass for white) but were not liked by either whites or blacks. This precarious social position serves as a good backdrop for EMERGENCY, as the "coloured" characters find themselves forced to choose between joining the African (i.e., black) work boycott and thus align themselves with the most disenfranchised, or choose alternate strategies for change. Indeed, a good deal of the book addresses the issue of racialism v. nonracialism, about whether allegiances such as the Pan African Congress or the African National Congress are working in the best interests of ALL South Africans. A second theme focuses on the struggle between theory (i.e., ideology) and praxis (i.e., action).

EMERGENCY is rich in ideas, especially as it focuses on the middle ground - both racially and strategically. It is a quick read, and an enjoyable one, though the inconsistent chronology takes some getting used to here. As someone who has read much about life under apartheid, several plot elements surprised me and left me with questions. To what extent could "coloureds" attend univeristy? Were "coloured" universities integrated with whites? To what extent could "coloureds" and "whites" travel through the city freely? Did "coloureds" need passes? Having grown so accustomed to the worst accounts of apartheid, reading about everyday life (via the flashbacks) left me rather curious about these details. I wish the book provided more context.

If I have another critique, it is that the characters do not seem to go through much development. This needs to be qualified, as the book certainly ends with a character arc. I suppose that the development isn't made very apparent. What factor(s) led to these developments? Each person seems rather one dimensional: this is the thinker, this is the guy who's all action, this is the practical one. This however, is minor, as it still allows for important debate amongst the characters.

As a final critique, there is sadly much misogyny here. It is unclear to what extent Rive is simply illustrating the culture, as South Africa was and continues to be a very patriarchal culture (today it has among the highest rates of rape and sexual assault in the world). Nevertheless, all female characters here are simply foils for male characters. In the meantime, they get beaten, they die, yelled at, ordered around. This is unfortunate, as women played a vital role in the struggle against apartheid. Ruth - the white woman who dates the protagonist coloured woman, is never developed as a character. Yet she could have played an essential role in giving voice to both females and whites working to end apartheid.

Overall, a good and informative read. I look forward to reading the posthumously released sequel.

[Jako Abrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story set around the Sharpeville Massacre following a coloured teacher

[Ian Veary · Rating 4 out of 5]

South African classic related to the not so distant past. Fictional but relating lived experience of an author under apartheid. Highly recommended for insights into the South African psyche.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dit is werkelijk een hinderlijk slechte vertaling uit het oorspronkelijke Engels. Vooral de dialogen. Zo schrijft Richard Rive niet en zo laat hij zijn personages niet praten. Heb het opgegeven en naar een Engelse editie gezocht. Die gaf ik met gemak drie sterren, maar deze krijgt er maar een van wegen de vertaling.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5