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27-Feb-2017, 23:00 UT/GMT Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog (ISBN:0812931297) | weRead
(17 reviews)	(286 Readers)
Antjie Krog	Ever since Nelson Mandela dramatically walked out of prison in 1990 after twenty-seven years behind bars, South Africa has been undergoing a radical...more Ever since Nelson Mandela dramatically walked out of prison in 1990 after twenty-seven years behind bars, South Africa has been undergoing a radical transformation. In one of the most miraculous events of the century, the oppressive system of apartheid was dismantled. Repressive laws mandating separation of the races were thrown out. The country, which had been carved into a crazy quilt that reserved the most prosperous areas for whites and the most desolate and backward for blacks, was reunited. The dreaded and dangerous security force, which for years had systematically tortured, spied upon, and harassed people of color and their white supporters, was dismantled. But how could this country--one of spectacular beauty and promise--come to terms with its ugly past? How could its people, whom the oppressive white government had pitted against one another, live side by side as friends and neighbors?To begin the healing process, Nelson Mandela created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, headed by the renowned cleric Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Established in 1995, the commission faced the awesome task of hearing the testimony of the victims of apartheid as well as the oppressors. Amnesty was granted to those who offered a full confession of any crimes associated with apartheid. Since the commission began its work, it has been the central player in a drama that has riveted the country. In this book, Antjie Krog, a South African journalist and poet who has covered the work of the commission, recounts the drama, the horrors, the wrenching personal stories of the victims and their families. Through the testimonies of victims of abuse and violence, from the appearance of Winnie Mandela to former South African president P. W. Botha's extraordinary courthouse press conference, this award-winning poet leads us on an amazing journey.Country of My Skull captures the complexity of the Truth Commission's work. The narrative is often traumatic, vivid, and provocative. Krog's powerful prose lures the reader actively and inventively through a mosaic of insights, impressions, and secret themes. This compelling tale is Antjie Krog's profound literary account of the mending of a country that was in colossal need of change. less	Take a book quiz
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few weeks ago	not only does it take you through he emmotional rollercoaster of the trc ,it also give's you a white woman's perspective of apartheid & TRC.
refreshing & touching	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	Was an exceptionally hard book to read, one that I had to put down and come back to quite often. It was exceptionally moving although a little confusing at times.	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	good resource book	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	Depressing as hell, but great book.
Depressing as hell, but really well written.	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	Amazing book. Although the there's a nice twist depending on which edition you've read.. :)	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	Highly important book on the Truth and Reconcilliation Commission. Will break your heart.	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	Krog received some flak for this book. However, I appreciate her incite into covering events like this. It is fascinating to see when she becomes emotionally invested in her reporting.	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	A powerful and moving book.	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	DIS â€™n feitelik onbegonne taak om die totaliteit van iets sÃ³ kompleks as die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie (WVK) se werksaamhede in â€™n teks saam te vat.
Die WVK is die proses wat aan die gang gesit is nÃ¡ die politieke oorgang in 1994. Die doel was om growwe menseregteskendings op vrywillige wyse aan die lig te bring en gepaardgaande versoening te fasiliteer.
Die...more DIS â€™n feitelik onbegonne taak om die totaliteit van iets sÃ³ kompleks as die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie (WVK) se werksaamhede in â€™n teks saam te vat.
Die skrywer moes waak om nie in die strik van oorsentimentaliteit te trap nie. Terselfdertyd moes weggeskram word van kille objektiwiteit. Dit kan lesers verveel en vervreem.
Antjie Krog werp â€™n warm lig op hierdie sensitiewe en pynlike ervaring in die Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis. Sy doen dit meesterlik met haar persoonlike ervarings, filosofiese pitkos en meelewings wat ineengeweef is met die koue feite.
Hierdie teks ontsluit â€™n pandoraboks van wreedheid, onverdraagsaamheid, karaktervernietiging, hantering van persoonlike krisisse en hoe hierdie gevoelens in vergifnis kan kulmineer. Die storie se fokus val egter nie nÃ©t op diegene wat die WVK bywoon nie, maar ook op die skrywer en haar agtergrond.
Die boek handel oor mense as slagoffers en oortreders, vervolgdes en vervolgers, maghebbers en magteloses. Dit toon dat mense kan seerkry, seermaak, vergewe en ook kan verhard.
Die dekking van die Kommissie se werksaamhede deur joernaliste, soos Krog, word ook toegelig. Die trauma, verslaentheid en emosionele dreinering van hierdie deurlopende getuies van al die WVK se sittings word behendig beklemtoon.
Die boek gryp vir my, Afrikaner jongmens, aan deur die eerlikheid waarmee die skrywer verhale vertel. Sy draai nie doekies om nie en ontbloot selfs teer gebeurtenisse in haar persoonlike lewe.
Struwelinge en agterdog binne Ã©n jeens die Kommissie word oopgevlek en jy besef dat dit bloot mense is wat hierdie proses moes lei en laat slaag. Selfs die ikoon aartsbiskop Desmond Tutu word tot gewone mens gereduseer.
Die skrywer se herkoms, sy is â€™n middeljarige Afrikanervrou wat op â€™n Vrystaatse plaas grootgeword het, dien as moontlike skakel tussen die vervreemdes tot die WVK (die Afrikaners) en die stories wat tydens die Kommissie oopgevlek is.
Die boek spreek tot my in â€™n taal wat ek verstaan: gewone mense kom ongewone dinge oor. Jy identifiseer met lydendes en leedaandoeners. Dit is mense wat jy op straat raakloop wat hierdie grusame verlede gelÃ©Ã©f het.
Min stories ontbloot die skuld Ã©n vergifnis van â€™n nasie sÃ³ omvattend en sonder druppende sentiment as Country of My Skull. hide	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	A Reader
few weeks ago	Just read this for the second time, in preparation for an upcoming trip to South Africa. I appreciate how sober-minded she is about the whole TRC process, and yet how she valued it.	Was this review helpful?	Yes (0)	No (0)	My rating: Sign in to rate and review
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