The Road to Home

South Africa #1

by Vanessa Del Fabbro

The Road to Home by Vanessa Del Fabbro released on Mar 29, 2005 is available now for purchase.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, South Africa

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were elements that I thought felt patronizing, but I'm giving it 4 stars because I loved the characters of Ella ( Ella still finds joy in every day even though she is sick. She laughs often with her two boys-mother goals!) and her boys. It also made me cry, so it evoked feeling.

[Deb]

plot summary: what happens, when & where, central characters, major conflicts[return]enter the world of modern day south africa as seen through the eyes of two women. one is a white journalist named monica who becomes the victim of a brutal carjacking while returning from a routine assignment. the other is a black mother named ella struggling to raise her two kids while hiding the fact that she has aids. these two women never would have met if they hadn't been put in adjoining beds at the hospital monica is taken to after her accident. despite the front that south africa puts on as being a "rainbow nation", blacks and whites do not mix and monica's parents are appalled that she is in a "black" hospital. but, despite their differences, she strikes up a friendship with ella and the other patients, a friendship that reveals to her a destiny far different than the one she had imagined for herself before the attack.[return][return][return][return][return][return][return]style characterisics: pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.[return]the story alternates points of view, which makes it a bit hard to follow at first. the culture of south africa is very foreign, but the author gives clear explanations and vivid descriptions that make it come to life for the reader. that is the strong point of the book--the glimpse it give you of south african life. monica and ella are also well-drawn characters. the plot is a bit slow at first but builds, the main conflicts centering around monica's decisions about whether to go with what god is showing her to do or to give in to what her family and boyfriend and society expect of her.[return][return][return][return]a thoughtful read, it doesn't stand out to me except for the setting. seemed a bit blah.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Journalist in South Africa Befriends Black Woman Dying of AIDS During the time of Apartheid.

SPOILER ALERT: After a carjacking, Monica meets Ella while recovering in the hospital. Confronted with truths of apartheid Monica never knew existed while growing up in a safe and gated white suburb, they become fast friends. Throughout their friendship, Monica discovers her true path in life and makes some difficult decisions about her future. Later, Monica is shocked to discover that Ella has AIDS, not TB as she'd told her to avoid prejudice, and is dying due to her inability to purchase expensive medication which would greatly prolong her life. After Ella's death, Monica decides to adopt her two young sons.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again, a first novel. Story takes place in South Africa, involving a young woman who befriends a black woman, much to everyone's dismay. Story was fine, but the writing was very simple. It was ok, and I did finish it!

[Carol Paret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apartheid in South Africa… a theme I had not explored much. But the hope for a “Rainbow Nation” was fraught with violence and pain and struggle.
In the midst of these events, a young white woman is violently attacked and when found is delivered to an all black hospital . The ensuing tale is of the woman’s courageous stands and true change of heart.
Beautiful and redemptive!

[Liz Destefano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story takes place in Africa and of course a white lady befriends a black lady and it's going to end up with her kids because she has AIDS

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

[Gwen]

I enjoyed the book and was happy to see that there are three additional titles in the series.

[Jennifer Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved how the author showed the different perspectives!

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and descriptive of life in this country.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is mainly the story about the friendship of two women, one white(Monica, a Journalist) one black,( Ella, a former ANC activist and mother of 2 young boys) set in 1998 against the fascinating backdrop of post-apartheid South Africa (1998). They meet in a hospital where one has come after a carjacking and the other because of Aids. They both are trying to figure out what is important in their lives and become close friends. I got quite a feel for the situation taking place in South Africa at that time, and really enjoyed the way she wove the story together. This book is a series of 4 books. can't wait to read the others.”

[Beth Heggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about apartheid in South Africa. I really enjoyed the characters. They seemed very real. Shows how people from "different sides of the track" can become like family. Talks about the aids crisis in Africa and puts faces to the disease. We learn they are not just statistics. Just found out this is the first of a series. I will definitely be reading the others.

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great look into South Africa during the upheaval of the 90s- a look into the lives of 2 women and how they cope with the crime and AIDS there. I was just looking into conditions in South Africa now, and it does not appear that much has changed- how disappointing.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspectivs on apartheid. Two narrators - one white, one black... one non-Christian (at first), one full of faith.. I was disappointed w the ending, but it left it open ended for the author to begin a series. I don't know that I liked it enough to read more though.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Brunetti and Ella Nkhoma, thrown together in a Soweto hospitl, don't seem to have much in common. But their friendship builds and gets better. Set shortly after apartheid ends, makes you think about your own views of race and friends.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes place in Post Apartheid South Africa and the main characters are a white
woman and an african woman. They meet in the hospital and forge a friendship that transforms their lives in the new era. This book won a Christy award. I liked it.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the preachiness feel, the half-forced APPRECIATE YOUR LIFE! tone, of this book, I did manage to get something out of it.

And I enjoyed the relationship between the two women.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was good but it made you think. It's an easy read for someone who is interested in the mission field. However it is a work of fiction.

[Dorothy Persch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Loved the topic, the two different points of view, and the overall positivity. I will definitely look for other books by this author.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting setting (South Africa), with strong female characters. I'm going to try another in the series to see if it keeps my attention.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta admit, I'm not much of a reader of Christian fiction, but this was okay. I enjoyed the portrayal of various cultures within South Africa, but the faith aspect seemed forced.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about a black woman with AIDS and a white woman who had been shot, set in South Africa.