Shifting Colours by Fiona Sussman

Shifting Colours

Fiona Sussman

A story of an unintended separation of a South African mother and daughter spanning twenty five years. While the mother struggles against an increasingly oppressive 1960s apartheid regime, the daughter suffers from
abandonment and dislocation in England. The African scenes are vivid, realistic and very violent. An interesting twist at the end.

Extract
Riots were spreading. A man by the name of Nelson Mandela - a member of the African National Congress - had publicly burnt his passbook and called for countrywide protest strikes. Black activists were being detained and tortured at Marshall Square, while some simply mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again. Others were tossed from fast-moving vehicles, to lie like bloating sheep in the midday heat. ... And each day the knot in my stomach grew tighter. I didn't want trouble. This was the life I had been born into, the life I knew. Against a background of hardship, I had found a safe and comfortable corner. Change was frightening and promised nothing.
Parallels
  • Long Lies the Shadow by Gerda Pearce
  • The World Unseen by Shamin Sarif
  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela