Bianca Marais Libros

"From the author of Hum if You Don't Know the Words comes a rich, unforgettable story of three unique women in post-Apartheid South Africa who are brought together in their darkest time, and discover the ways that love can transcend the strictest of boundaries. On the outskirts of Johannesburg, seventeen-year-old Zodwa Bambisa lives in desperate poverty in tiny metal shack in a squatter camp, under the shadowy threat of a civil war and a growing AIDS epidemic. Eight months pregnant with a child she does not want, Zodwa carefully guards secrets that could get her killed if discovered. Meanwhile, at a rural farm outside the city, estranged sisters Ruth and Delilah each face a personal crisis that sends them back to their childhood home to lick their wounds. They live together in an uneasy peace until the day that they find a newborn baby on their doorstep. Abandoned with only a blanket wrapped around him, the child will change everything for the sisters, upending what they believed about race, motherhood, and the power of the past. As the mystery surrounding the infant's discovery grows, Zodwa, Ruth, and Delilah become inextricably linked. What follows is a mesmerizing look at family, identity, and the lengths to which the human heart will go to protect itself and the ones it loves"--

An important contribution to literature about racism in South Africa...it's a powerful story and one with a perspective many of us haven't read.-Terry McMillan, New York Times bestselling author of Waiting to Exhale and I Almost Forgot About You Bianca Marais's compassionate debut paints a picture of the alternately beautiful and tragic strategies we humans employ to meet our needs for love. Hum If You Don't Know the Words takes us into the human heart's wiliness as it attempts to survive the frontal attack of racism. While the attack is a sin, the response is wondrous and wounding and an illustration of the resiliency that can transcend the color of a person's skin.-Rebecca Wells, author of The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Bianca Marais's stunning debut offers an evocative and thought-provoking look at the unlikely relationship between two South Africans. Set against a backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa, Marais illuminates the experiences of both black and white South Africans during one of the bloodiest periods in the country's history and gives us an emotionally powerful and historically important story about forgiveness, love and redemption.-Tara Conklin, author of The House Girl Bianca Marais's compelling debut novel is a heartrending coming-of-age tale that not only illuminates the horrors of apartheid South Africa but also speaks with unmistakable relevance to the racism of our own times.-Jennifer Chiaverini, author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker and Fates and Traitors Radiant...a stirring ode to a country's painful maturation. -O, The Oprah Magazine Richly drawn...[The characters'] journeys and eventual love poignantly demonstrate that nothing is simply black or white. -USA Today In this standout debut Marais handles topics such as grief and racism with a delicate intensity that will make readers fall in love with her characters. From the first few heartfelt chapters to a fast-paced and heart-wrenching ending, Marais has created a stunning historical drama that shouldn't be missed.-Publishers Weekly (starred review) Lyrical...A captivating story about finding family in unexpected places and maintaining culture in the face of adversity.-Library Journal (starred review) Bianca Marais' new novel, which was inspired by her own life, will sweep you up and not let you go until the final page.-Bookish.com, Must Read Summer Books of 2017 A satisfying emotional journey.-Kirkus Reviews A deeply compelling story of love, loss, racism, sacrifice, and family. --Hello Giggles Breathtaking...Intense, powerful and moving, Hum If You Don't Know the Words is an exalting anthem of love, family and humanity.-Shelf Awareness With its vivid, emotional scene-setting, alternating narration and tense plotting, this novel is a thoughtful, compelling page-turner. -Goodhousekeeping.com [Marais] brings her homeland to life with compelling descriptions of both city and rural life and the great divide that separated people during the apartheid era. -Cedar Rapids Gazette One of Real Simple's Best New Books to Read This Month Chosen as one of Library Journal's Writers To Watch and New York Post's Required Reading Beautiful and tragic, intimate and sweeping, Hum If You Don't Know the Words is a gorgeous debut novel. You don't read this story, you live it. Bianca Marais creates characters with such love and compassion they nearly walk off the page.-Tish Cohen, bestselling author of Town House and The Truth About Delilah Blue I read this book in a gallop, compelled to discover the intertwined fates of its tragic heroine, Beauty Mbali, and her young orphaned charge. Hum If You Don't Know the Words is an exciting and compassionate novel about a period of devastating cruelty in South African history. With passion and grace Marais makes the political personal and the personal intimate.-Meira Cook, author of Nightwatching and

A coven of modern-day witches faces a dire threat as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor. The witch in charge, Queenie, reveals they've fallen behind on their mortgage payments, but hope arises with the imminent return of Ruby, a sisterhood member who has been absent for thirty-three years. However, their troubles escalate as a vengeful man seeks to reclaim a stolen family legacy. In desperation, Queenie makes a deal with a powerful evil, complicating their situation further. Ruby's return brings unexpected challenges rather than solutions. As the witches strive to save their home and themselves, their aging powers struggle against increasingly malicious threats. They receive unexpected assistance from Persephone, a spirited TikToker determined to challenge the patriarchy. As the deadline to save the manor looms, tensions within the sisterhood surface, revealing long-held secrets and culminating in a fiery confrontation with their enemies. This story is both funny and uplifting, exploring the strength found in aging, chosen family, and unexpected friendships. The author’s clever prose balances humor with deep insights into feminism, identity, and power dynamics, weaving a narrative rich with secrets, lies, and emotional depth that celebrates the remarkable women in our lives.

Set against a backdrop of mystery, this novel weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense as characters navigate a complex murder investigation. With engaging twists and a rich narrative, it promises to keep readers guessing. Themes of deception and the quest for truth drive the plot, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre. The author’s unique storytelling style enhances the experience, inviting readers to delve into a world filled with secrets and unexpected revelations.