Ida's Line

by Barbara Townsend

Ida's Line tells the story of Ida Joubert, a young woman, coming of age during a period of growing racial hatred in Oudtshoorn, South Africa in the 1930's and 1940's. Ida openly rejects these racist views and challenges the prevailing patriarchal attitudes. This brings her into conflict with her white middle-class family. Matters come to a head when she falls in love with Rueben May, a mixed race teacher who wants to marry her.

556 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2022

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read to get a picture of life in pre-arpartheid South Africa. Well-formulated character arcs and a quick and easy read.
If you're feeling uneasy about our current times, this is a good book to see how far we, as humanity, have actually come.

[Catherine Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in small town South Africa in1929, this historical fiction looks at ahead-of-her-time life of Ida, who falls in love with someone forbidden to her.

[Christina’s Word · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved Barbara Townsend’s first novel Ida’s Line. A beautifully written, historical story set in SA in the 1930s and 40s. Ida Joubert is coming of age in Oudtshoorn. She’s a clear-headed, feisty girl who challenges the prevailing patriarchal and racist views. When she introduces the man she loves, a mixed-race teacher, things come to a head. What will Ida choose: love or family? It’s a nuanced novel, beautifully told.

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