BOOK REVIEW: Crooked Halo
AFTER fussing over and surviving what now seems to be frivolous puppy love in high school, I had to force myself to go back and relive those days.
The tragic but all too common story of a girl's first love is portrayed realistically by 25-year-old Sinovuyo Nkonki in her first novel, Crooked Halo.
Though truthful and brave, Petra the matriculant's typical story of love and romance, dragged on a bit longer than I could take.
Bit I admired the simplicity of the dialogue, her relationships and the way the story is written, which could be relevant for any 17-year-old adolescent girl falling in love for the first time.
Petra, a confident but innocent diva from a privileged background, is initially reluctant to get involved when the school heartthrob, Kevin, is suddenly attracted to her.
He charms her out of all doubt and in her eyes he becomes her angel.
But behind Cupid's rosy picture, Petra is just another victim caught in a R5,000 bet between friends.
Each of the 14 chapters in the book are introduced with a love poem that sums up the chapter's content.
The last few chapters portray tears, anger and pain as Petra's heart is torn into pieces by her Prince Charming.
Through the hardship that only a first love can truly go through, Petra learns a hard lesson and resets her priorities.
Kevin is not left victorious either.
In fact, his addiction to beautiful girls brings him unexpected baggage to deal with.
My lesson: What we privileged generation go through, the stupid things we deem important, well, they are to us what each of the previous generations thought was necessary and relevant to them.
Even those soppy silly "love" experiences have something to teach us.
Angel can make you cry
BOOK REVIEW: Crooked Halo
AFTER fussing over and surviving what now seems to be frivolous puppy love in high school, I had to force myself to go back and relive those days.
The tragic but all too common story of a girl's first love is portrayed realistically by 25-year-old Sinovuyo Nkonki in her first novel, Crooked Halo.
Though truthful and brave, Petra the matriculant's typical story of love and romance, dragged on a bit longer than I could take.
Bit I admired the simplicity of the dialogue, her relationships and the way the story is written, which could be relevant for any 17-year-old adolescent girl falling in love for the first time.
Petra, a confident but innocent diva from a privileged background, is initially reluctant to get involved when the school heartthrob, Kevin, is suddenly attracted to her.
He charms her out of all doubt and in her eyes he becomes her angel.
But behind Cupid's rosy picture, Petra is just another victim caught in a R5,000 bet between friends.
Each of the 14 chapters in the book are introduced with a love poem that sums up the chapter's content.
The last few chapters portray tears, anger and pain as Petra's heart is torn into pieces by her Prince Charming.
Through the hardship that only a first love can truly go through, Petra learns a hard lesson and resets her priorities.
Kevin is not left victorious either.
In fact, his addiction to beautiful girls brings him unexpected baggage to deal with.
My lesson: What we privileged generation go through, the stupid things we deem important, well, they are to us what each of the previous generations thought was necessary and relevant to them.
Even those soppy silly "love" experiences have something to teach us.
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