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Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Zebra by Jill Wallace is a poignant and powerful coming-of-age adventure that traces the arc of a rare friendship set against the brutal backdrop of apartheid South Africa. Jock, a white hotel owner's son, and Papin, a Zulu teen from a nearby village, form a deep bond exploring the Drakensberg mountains in childhood, undeterred by social disapproval and racial tensions. Known mockingly as ‘the zebra’ by guests who see no boundaries between them, their friendship becomes a quiet act of resistance. But societal forces tear them apart, and years later, they find themselves on opposing sides of a battlefield: one a conscripted soldier, the other a revolutionary. As past affections collide with present ideologies, each must confront whether love or loyalty will guide their fateful decisions. Inspired by real events, Zebra is a moving tale of innocence, betrayal, and the enduring possibility of reconciliation.
Author Jill Wallace has a knack for relating a character to readers with great emotional immediacy, and she delivers a deeply evocative and culturally rich narrative that lingers for a long time after you’ve read it. Papin and Jock are fully realized characters who feel as real as your friends. Seeing them grow and change through their bond and the challenges of the plot brings a personal viewpoint to life under apartheid that is both harrowing and uplifting, marked by moments of profound humanity. For people outside the experience of apartheid, it’s a firsthand way of growing your empathy and understanding, whilst also undergoing a heartfelt story about the innocence of youth and the tragedy of lost brotherhood. Wallace achieves this with rare and heartbreaking insight, and her detailed, up-close narrative and telling dialogue give the work a unique voice that stands out from the crowd. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Zebra as a must-read with storytelling that’s at its most immersive and soul-stirring.
