A Darker Shade of Pale

by Beryl Crosher-Segers

Courage to Love in the Shadow of Hate.A Darker Shade of Pale tells of Beryl Crosher-Segers' family and community life in apartheid-era South Africa.With a piercing narrative, she details the injustices, humiliation and challenges she faced under the brutal reign of the National Party. Through her multi-racial heritage, Beryl was born into a life of inequality and hardship. This is the remarkable story of resilience and courage to power forward toward a better life, to love in the shadow of hate.A Darker Shade of Pale is a story of hope in the face of despair and of courage when faced with insurmountable obstacles.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Memoir

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2018

Reviews

[Tanya Southey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up on the priviledged side of the apartheid regime, but had some sense as a child what was going on in the country as in 1976, our white only school became as multi-racial as it was allowed to be. As a Catholic private school as small number of non-white children were allowed to be schooled with us. We were banned from all inter-school sports with the government schools, but that was a small price to pay for the insights and learnings we all got into the injustice that was then South Africa. Beryl's book while set in Apartheid South Africa will make you laugh, cry and rail at injustice. You will learn to love her and her family. A great read, not just for its historical perspectives but for anyone who wants to see the true impact of injustice or exclusion in society. Well done Beryl for bravely telling your truth.

[Melina Lobo · Rating 4 out of 5]

But, the fight for freedom came at a price.
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A Darker Shade of Pale by Beryl Cosher-Segers is the author's own family story when they lived in the apartheid era in South Africa under the reign of the National Party.
This is one book that I would recommend if you are a non-fiction lover, because the emotions that are present in this book, the hardships and pain faced in this book, cannot be found in any fictional book.
I was aware of what happened during the Apartheid, but never fathomed the magnitude.
What amazed me is the author's attention to detail and memory because it was so long ago and there's so much to tell, I'm not sure I'd be able to write my story with such finesse.
I really admire the author's father and the relationship that they shared, he looked at the future with hope that one day they would be free.
There are somany things I love about this book and because I know this is a non-fiction book I know that it's the author's story tell, but certain areas felt unnecessary for me and a bit monotonous.
However, I do implore people to read this book, because it's past might not be a part of you, but it is a part of history.
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Rated 8.5/10
Melina L.

[Liv Caks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an insightful read! Beryl presents a thoroughly immersive voice that portrays great emotion. Through her excellent manipulation of language and her engaging tonality, Beryl draws the reader deep into the shocking but realistic world of apartheid-era South Africa. Her powerful writing resonates every emotion within the reader - you rejoice with Beryl's happiness, you cry with her tragedies and you join her in the frustration and anger of such a limiting society.

I'm not one to read many non-fiction novels but A Darker Shade of Pale was an amazing, eye-opening book that will forever stick in my memory. I look forward to reading more of Beryl's novels in the future!

[Michelin Segers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep down - either way I knew I would enjoy the book.

However the detail, the history and the fact that I know the places and the names of those involved. Made the book mean so much more to me.

Anyone who loves true stories should read this book.

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interested in our worlds past.

[Genevieve Proulx · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book. The editing is poorly done, and some sentences are difficult to understand or are missing punctuation. This is not acceptable and makes for an unpleasant read. Furthermore, I found that the story lacks coherence and that the narration jumps rather than flows. I did learn a few things about apartheid, hence the two stars.

[Bala Mudaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a Cape Coloured as classified under South Africa’s once diabolical system of apartheid. A rich and complex tapestry of family and community life in the Western Cape. The elegant and lyrical writing often brims with feelings of anger, anguish, separation and loss. Vivid and visual. An absorbing page turner

[Diane Singer]

Beryl's brave memoir provides the reader with a deep insight into her every day life on the Cape Flats. It is both a personal love story and historical account of living with injustices ofApar theid. We get to know Beryl and her family through this book, how they cope and ultimately their efforts to seek a better life In Australia. A compelling read. I couldn't put it down.

[Nick Shears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was moved by Beryl’s memoir of growing up as a ’Coloured’ woman under the despicable apartheid regime in South Africa.
More power to her for having written it. Recommended primarily to anyone with an interest in SA of the 60s and 70s.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lived in Botswana for 5 years and made many trips to South Africa. I visited Soweto, met with groups working with gang members from mixed race groups and listened to their struggles and triumphs in the post apartheid era, I heard the stories of my colleagues living and working in Jo'burg, and met with non-profit organizations in Durban. I was struck by the privileged lives of the white community in Capetown - still in 2003. Beryl has added another layer of understanding in her A Darker Shade of Pale. A more intimate and personal story of life in the apartheid era of South Africa. I could not help but ponder what I see happening in my own home, America, today. What has been happening across the generations to black, brown, yellow and first nation groups. Beryl, however, gives me hope for the long term; oppressed people do triumph, gloriously. It may take generations of struggle, but it will come to pass. Thank you, Beryl, for sharing your story, an intimate look at family life in a dark time, and for giving us a vision of hope.