Much Bigger than Grownups
Subtitle: Chronicles of a Native South African
Publisher: Lulu.com
Published: November 12, 2006
Place of publication: USA
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 240
ISBN-13: 9781411682177
Subjects: Biography: general; General; Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography; Biography / Autobiography; Biography/Autobiography
Genres: Memoir
First sentence: Our giant jacaranda stretched out her arms to welcome us home from boarding school for the hot summer months. Her fallen, delicate lilac-blue blossoms carpeted the steep concrete staircase extending up to our stone and ivy entrance porch. They formed a petaled anthem to our euphoria. It was always good to be back at Campania.
 
From the high vantage point of our front verandah, almost the entire valley was visible. Overlapping Natal hills, green and brown, receded into the distance. They defined the limits of that childhood paradise. Old Elizabeth Fynn’s wood and iron residence, one of just two other European-style buildings in the vicinity, stood proudly atop the forested hill directly opposite ours. The only remaining members of the original owners of Campania were this warm-hearted Colored woman and her son, Dolfus. Mrs. Fynn, with her small hunched frame and thoroughly wrinkled sallow face, was a familiar sight at our trading store. Unlike Dad’s other customers who spoke Zulu, she chatted to him, “the master,” in English. Elizabeth Fynn had the kind of old fashioned decorum that one would expect from a woman who invariably wore a neat, black, 1920s cloche hat. 

A number of whitewashed amakhaya—Zulu huts—dotted the rest of the landscape. Most were round earthen structures with a crown of thatched local grasses and an old rubber car tire that straddled the apex......
Description: "This account shines with creativity and insight. Readers are taken on an international adventure into the rich cultures, religious diversity, lush geography and political turmoil of South Africa during the latter half of the twentieth century; and then on to the USA. It is a fascinating sojourn that enlightens and educates as it entertains. Exotic places and endearing people come vividly to life through the eyes and heart of this Renaissance woman." Dr. Melanie Rosa. *** "Shelley Wood Gauld combines her personal history with that of a turbulent country, facts about the environment she so loves, and profound insights into different spiritual paths she and others around her have trod. The book bears witness to someone who has striven to put more meaning into her life and more 'color on her wings'; and, thereby, more color into ours. Maps, artworks and vibrant authentic prose guide us through this memorable record of a life in progress." Prof. Dr. Lindy Stiebel.
Notes: Contents

	Acknowledgements          	
	Introduction         	
		
1.	Campania (1953-1975)          	
		
2.	eThekwini (1900-1971)          	
		
3.	Turton (1953-1964)          	
		
4.	Port Shepstone (1959-1966)          	
		
5.	Hibberdene (1953-1988)          	
		
6.	Port Natal (1967-1975)          	
		
7.	Suid Afrika (1652-2007)          	
		
8.	Israel (November 1975 – January 1976)          	
		
9.	Kloof (1976-1987)          	
		
10.	Knysna (1988-1991)          	
		
11.	Wheat Ridge (1991-2007)          	
		
12.	Stonewood (1994-1997)          	
		
	Afterword          	
		
	Apartheid Legislation           	
	Chapter Notes         	
	Notes on Sources         		
                     Glossary