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Tsk-Tsk: The story of a child at large
'I was made in Coffee Bay. Right there on the beach, in the sand.' From the opening lines, we are drawn in and engrossed by this startling memoir of a singular childhood. Suzan is adopted as a newborn in the late 1960s into a seemingly loving and welcoming family living in Pietermaritzburg. But Suzan is set on a collision course with, most particularly, her adoptive mother, and society, from her very beginning. Suzan's relationship with her mother is fraught with drama, which veers over into a level of emotional abuse and needless cruelty that is shocking.
At the age of thirteen, Suzan is sent to a place of safety as a ward of the state, effectively 'orphaning' her. From there, she spirals out of control – fighting to survive in a world of other neglected, abandoned and abused children. She becomes a 'runner', escaping at every opportunity from her various places of confinement, grabbing her schooling in snatches, living on the edges of a drug and prostitution underworld, finding love wherever she can.
Suzan's young life was the stuff of movies, but it is her writing, in a voice that is unforgettable and true, that transforms her memories into something magical rarely matched in South African literature. A new classic.
At the age of thirteen, Suzan is sent to a place of safety as a ward of the state, effectively 'orphaning' her. From there, she spirals out of control – fighting to survive in a world of other neglected, abandoned and abused children. She becomes a 'runner', escaping at every opportunity from her various places of confinement, grabbing her schooling in snatches, living on the edges of a drug and prostitution underworld, finding love wherever she can.
Suzan's young life was the stuff of movies, but it is her writing, in a voice that is unforgettable and true, that transforms her memories into something magical rarely matched in South African literature. A new classic.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 10, 2018
3.5 stars. This memoir starts in the 1960's and ends when Suzan is 19 years old. She was adopted as a newborn baby by a family in Pietermartitzburg. From the beginning she and her mother are at odds, and as she gets older this relationship spirals out of control. At the age of 13, Suzan becomes a ward of the state, but instead of this improving her life, it seems to push her over the edge.
This was very well written, authentic and upsetting. In most memoirs I find that authors of memoirs will try to make sense of their past decisions and situations, but not so in Tsk-Tsk. This gives it a very honest and "now" feel - as everything happens in the moment, and situations are experienced as if she is still that age. It did leave me with many questions, although the issues between her and her mom could have been a possible instigator for her behavioral issues, it would have been insightful to get her views on why she did the things she did, looking back. There is no closure, or even an attempt at it.
A raw, sometimes frustrating look at how a child can get lost in the system, without ever receiving any real help on how to change their self-destructive behavior.
This was very well written, authentic and upsetting. In most memoirs I find that authors of memoirs will try to make sense of their past decisions and situations, but not so in Tsk-Tsk. This gives it a very honest and "now" feel - as everything happens in the moment, and situations are experienced as if she is still that age. It did leave me with many questions, although the issues between her and her mom could have been a possible instigator for her behavioral issues, it would have been insightful to get her views on why she did the things she did, looking back. There is no closure, or even an attempt at it.
A raw, sometimes frustrating look at how a child can get lost in the system, without ever receiving any real help on how to change their self-destructive behavior.
January 27, 2022
Probably not the most eloquently written memoir out there but it was interesting to read about the author’s time in reform school. I found it fascinating how much time and effort the SA government put in to ensure stray children stay in school, even if they had to handcuff and escort these delinquent runaways back to school.
What I most like about memoirs is how an author can look back at childhood and formative experiences with insight and the understanding that hindsight gives. This memoir however sorely lacks this perspective. The author almost had a gleeful pride in the role she played in her destructive childhood.
What I most like about memoirs is how an author can look back at childhood and formative experiences with insight and the understanding that hindsight gives. This memoir however sorely lacks this perspective. The author almost had a gleeful pride in the role she played in her destructive childhood.
July 13, 2018
Sometimes I get book recommendations when I least expect them.
I suppose I give it away - the fact that I enjoy reading - by the fact that when people see me, I've always got my nose in a book. So it was when we were visiting our favourite South Coast lunchtime haunt, the whole family with books (for after brunch, of course) and the friendly manageress, who amazes us with her memory for every intricate order, told me about this one.
"The author's an old school friend," she explained, "and she had an interesting, tough childhood." That's pretty much all I had - which is what I like, actually.
There is a knack to writing a memoir which involves emotional distance, realising that your story is not as interesting as you think it is for others - it helps if you write it well, and developing a plot that will draw people in. This has all that.
'I was made in Coffee Bay. Right there on the beach, in the sand' is how it begins.
Read my full review here.
I suppose I give it away - the fact that I enjoy reading - by the fact that when people see me, I've always got my nose in a book. So it was when we were visiting our favourite South Coast lunchtime haunt, the whole family with books (for after brunch, of course) and the friendly manageress, who amazes us with her memory for every intricate order, told me about this one.
"The author's an old school friend," she explained, "and she had an interesting, tough childhood." That's pretty much all I had - which is what I like, actually.
There is a knack to writing a memoir which involves emotional distance, realising that your story is not as interesting as you think it is for others - it helps if you write it well, and developing a plot that will draw people in. This has all that.
'I was made in Coffee Bay. Right there on the beach, in the sand' is how it begins.
Read my full review here.
May 26, 2018
It’s been a while since I’ve read a memoir as riveting as Suzan Hackney’s Tsk-Tsk – The story of a child at large (Jonathan Ball Publishers). In fact, I’ve been rummaging through the grubbiest files of my mind to try and recall something comparable with no success so far.
It’s the harrowing story of Suzan’s childhood from birth in the late 1960s until she’s 19. Conceived in Coffee Bay on South Africa’s Wild Coast, she’s adopted as a newborn by a well-meaning Pietermaritzburg couple. They already have an adopted son, Jonathan. While she bonds closely with her father and (even more so) with Jonathan, the discord between Suzan and her mother is immediate and relentless, and fuels the girl’s independence and defiance.
The unexpected birth of a biological son and a family tragedy amplify the drama, and Suzan’s mutiny against mother and society escalates. By the age of thirteen, she’s declared a ward of the state and thus begins a series of stays in ‘places of safety’, industrial schools and prison cells across the country. And, when she’s not confined, Suzan is on the run, living on the edge with other neglected, abandoned and abused children, some of whom she takes it upon herself to try and rescue. The Wild Coast holds particular appeal for her.
It’s not only an absorbing and shocking account of an excruciating childhood that no one should have to endure; it’s also a powerful eye-opener. The story heightened my empathy for children born into dysfunctional families and/or whose behaviour sees them thrown into juvenile delinquency centres.
Written with raw honesty in the present tense, Tsk-Tsk moves at pace and, despite the relentlessly dreadful series of events and unbearably sad encounters, the book is not without humour. Suzan’s story is remarkable and her writing style pithy and punchy. It’s a moving, polished piece of work that provides a rare glimpse into the lives of children who live on the edge of society. Tsk-Tsk ends when, age 19, Suzan is no longer a ward of the state. I am curious to know what came next and hope that there’s a part two to the memoir in the pipeline.
It’s the harrowing story of Suzan’s childhood from birth in the late 1960s until she’s 19. Conceived in Coffee Bay on South Africa’s Wild Coast, she’s adopted as a newborn by a well-meaning Pietermaritzburg couple. They already have an adopted son, Jonathan. While she bonds closely with her father and (even more so) with Jonathan, the discord between Suzan and her mother is immediate and relentless, and fuels the girl’s independence and defiance.
The unexpected birth of a biological son and a family tragedy amplify the drama, and Suzan’s mutiny against mother and society escalates. By the age of thirteen, she’s declared a ward of the state and thus begins a series of stays in ‘places of safety’, industrial schools and prison cells across the country. And, when she’s not confined, Suzan is on the run, living on the edge with other neglected, abandoned and abused children, some of whom she takes it upon herself to try and rescue. The Wild Coast holds particular appeal for her.
It’s not only an absorbing and shocking account of an excruciating childhood that no one should have to endure; it’s also a powerful eye-opener. The story heightened my empathy for children born into dysfunctional families and/or whose behaviour sees them thrown into juvenile delinquency centres.
Written with raw honesty in the present tense, Tsk-Tsk moves at pace and, despite the relentlessly dreadful series of events and unbearably sad encounters, the book is not without humour. Suzan’s story is remarkable and her writing style pithy and punchy. It’s a moving, polished piece of work that provides a rare glimpse into the lives of children who live on the edge of society. Tsk-Tsk ends when, age 19, Suzan is no longer a ward of the state. I am curious to know what came next and hope that there’s a part two to the memoir in the pipeline.
November 15, 2018
Beautifully written memoir of the author's horrifying childhood.
January 2, 2019
This book had me riveted to the couch. Absolutely fascinating memoir of a little girl who came out loud and proud and shooting with both guns! I'm struggling to find the words to describe her seemingly effortless writing style.. Suzan paints with words. Highly recommended.
December 10, 2020
Brilliantly written!
Laughed and cried, felt lost when it was finished. Please tell me there's a follow up! I heard there was but no one seems to know.
Laughed and cried, felt lost when it was finished. Please tell me there's a follow up! I heard there was but no one seems to know.
June 29, 2021
Such a brilliantly written book I could not put it down. This child was unbreakable. Is there a sequel?
February 11, 2022
Brilliantly written mesmerising story! First book I've reviewed here. Love how brave and loyal Suzan was.
Read it from cover to cover in under 3 hours. Highly recommend. *****
Read it from cover to cover in under 3 hours. Highly recommend. *****
January 15, 2023
Phenomenal book about how a broken child welfare system failed so many young kids! Some of the shit that she went through is just unbelievable! I couldn't put the book down!
September 8, 2019
A heart-wrenching and genuine South African story.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews