Tell Freedom: Memories of Africa

by Peter Abrahams and Wilfred (introduction by) Abrahams, Peter; Cartey

Book Overview

A Black South African recalls his childhood and adolescence in the slums of Johannesburg and his ultimate escape to England. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000S1NV7A
• Release Date: January 1956
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 370 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Tell Freedom by Peter Abrahams ASIN: 002048030X

When I started reading this book I knew that I was about to dig into the truth of the everyday lives of children in South Africa. This mystery is an autobiography. I have read some materials about South Africa but this book really tells it all. The book started out with Peter living in Johannesburg. He lived with his parents and brothers and sisters. At first, it appeared as if he had a good life and a happy family. Then things took a bad turn. His father died and they were forced to give up and leave their home to reside in Vrededorp. This was a slum. It was different from life in Johannesburg. It was a really difficult and poverty ridged life. It was so difficult that his mother could no longer afford to keep him. She sent him to live with his Aunt Liza and Uncle Sam in Elseburg. It was not as comfortable as life in Johannesburg but it was better than Vrededorp. Here he worked really hard at tasks his uncle and aunt would assign him. He was a very hard worker. It would appear as if he spent a great deal of time there. The book did not tell how long he spent. However, his mother sent his brother and sister to get him. His aunt got accustomed to his company and his help and she did not want him to leave. When they got back to Vrededorp the family moved in to live with a family friend. He provided free lodging and food for them. From there Peter went to live with another aunt a few streets down. Here he got a job selling fire wood to the whites in white Vrededorp. Here his number of friends increased and they became a gang in which he was the leader. They would steal and fight other gangs. His aunt discouraged him out of the gang. He dropped the gang. He realized his need for formal education and took it upon himself to approach the principal of a black school. He begged the principal to allow him to go to school. The principal agreed on the condition that he does good work otherwise he would be punished with lashes. At fifteen his education seemed to stop abruptly when he found himself a job at a hotel cleaning, running errands, and doing room service. He worked really long hours and did not get enough sleep. He was often exhausted to start the job each day. He woke up one morning with bloodshot eyes and his sister sent him back to bed. Hours later he went to work but his boss was out looking for a new worker. His boss returned with a new worker to find him, Peter, waiting. He tried to punch Peter but Peter ran away. He got various jobs after that. He went through anger and bitterness as he tried to succumb to the ridicules and hardships of life. Throughout his life he had questions he wanted to ask but dared not. He had to forego school for work. He was very ambitious. He read widely and became a nationalist in his own way, through the literatures. Eventually, he got his chance for a college education. The rest is history. It is a good book do not stop until you have read every page!!Reaction I believe this book highlights the true and real chil