Zebra

Friends by Fate. Enemies by Destiny.

By: Jill Wallace

Narrated by: Peter Noble

A young white boy and a Zulu teen grow up together, building an extraordinary friendship as they explore the rugged Drakensberg mountains around a remote South African hotel during the apartheid era.

Jock and Papin forge an indelible bond while learning to love and appreciate each other’s cultures. Despite whispers from intolerant guests, the boys are oblivious to the consequences of their friendship. “There goes the zebra,” guests remark, claiming they can’t tell where the white boy ends and the black boy begins.

But the boys’ friendship is strong enough to conquer all—until society’s impossible expectations wrench them apart, leaving bitter disappointment and soul-deep wounds that will not heal.

A decade later, these long-lost friends converge on opposite sides of a harrowing battlefield, one a reluctant soldier, the other a passionate freedom fighter. Their intimate knowledge of the other’s way of life could be the very tools that save them…or destroy them. And an unimaginable choice will put Jock and Papin’s once-unbreakable bond to the ultimate test.

Jill Wallace, author of the multi-award-winning World War II novel War Serenade, brings together a fascinating coming-of-age story with a compelling tale of human connection in Zebra.

Inspired by the life of Athol Wallace.

©2021 Jill Wallace (P)2022 Jill Wallace and Athol Wallace

Captivating story about the highs and lows of growing up in turbulent South Africa pre Mandela

A well written & captivating story that includes some of the very complex and evolving perspectives of life in South Africa prior to the Mandela administration. For those who lived through this time period in South Africa, the story is a vivid reminder, and for those who did not experience this firsthand, it can be a fascinating insight into some of the complexities of this time period.
Personally, I loved the detail around the cultural differences that abound as well as the references to the somewhat unique animal-related experiences you would expect in those settings. The narrator also brought much of the emotion to the fore, that would be lost in a simple reading. Highly recommended.

excellent story, we'll performed!

A well written book revealing experiences from two perspectives of life in South Africa in 1950 thru 1970s.
The narrator was wonderful, well versed in the variety of accents and speech patterns.

Such a meaningful story

I was drawn into this story right away! I loved the characters and the setting. I learned so much about South Africa. Highly recommend!