Zebra

Friends by Fate. Enemies by Destiny.

Fiction - Audiobook
Audio Book
Reviewed on 07/29/2022
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Zebra: Friends by Fate, Enemies by Destiny is a work of fiction in the cross-cultural adventure and interpersonal drama sub-genres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Jill Wallace, with narration in this audiobook format performed by Peter Noble. Inspired by the real-life adventures of Athol Wallace, Zebra tells the heart-wrenching tale of Jock and Papin and their extraordinary interracial childhood friendship during the Apartheid era in South Africa. What begins as an appreciative and loving friendship turns cold under the pressures of time and society when the two now-grown men reunite on opposite sides of the battlefield.

In terms of the plot and its construction, author Jill Wallace has done an incredible job of balancing the many complex aspects of this heartfelt and deeply personal tale: from the resonant and chilling setting that takes us through Apartheid to the balance of prejudice, acceptance, despair, and hope in Jock and Papin’s emotional journey. I especially enjoyed the accuracy and cultural significance of the dialogue, which conveyed some of the most heartbreaking moments for both men as the novel progressed.

In terms of its audio presentation, narrator Peter Noble only further enhanced the unbridled emotional quality of the story with a stellar vocal performance. Distinct and diverse when it is needed, and harmonious and unifying in key moments, it’s clear that Noble has put heart and soul into every moment of this highly relevant work. Overall, Zebra cannot come highly recommended enough: a must-read for fiction fans from all walks of life, made even better by its audiobook transformation.