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The South Africa of His Heart: A Memoir about Love, Loss and Serendipity
 
 
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The South Africa of His Heart: A Memoir about Love, Loss and Serendipity [Paperback]

Davida James (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Book Description

August 17, 2007
It is 1976, the summer of the Soweto student riots in South Africa. The massacres sparked world awareness of the horrors of apartheid and, many believe, were the catalyst for the eventual fall of apartheid fourteen years later when Nelson Mandela walked out of prison.

A twenty-two year old woman enrolls in a college prep program in Harlem and meets a South African expatriate thirty-plus years her senior. He is there teaching English. Amidst the turmoil of that summer, they fall in love, marry and make plans to move to Nigeria.

Set in New York, the Caribbean, London, South Africa and Los Angeles The South Africa of His Heart is a moving thirty-year memoir about how the circles in life can lead us to astounding places–often by chance. Ms. James shares the true story of the lifelong impact her South African husband made on her life.

What unfolds is a touching, unconventional love story about dedication and a spiritual connection that bridged their physical separations. In a series of fateful discoveries, many years after their last encounter, she uncovers surprising and profound revelations about her first husband.

***

“A touching, often poignant book, with lyrical qualities that bring you deep into the author’s heart. The descriptions of the Caribbean are haunting. The author’s emotional journey, exploring memories of her South African husband’s influence in her life, offer a new interpretation of marital love.”
David Edgecombe, author of Heaven and Other Plays

"Davida Siwisa James' memoir recounts an American woman's marriage to a man who took part in some of the most important history of our time. The South Africa of His Heartis an American story and an African story rolled into one fascinating tale."
-Kathy Seal, Coauthor, Pressured Parents, Stressed-out Kids: Dealing With Competition While Raising a Successful Child.


Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Davida Siwisa James was born in Philadelphia and has lived in New York, Los Angeles and St. Thomas. An alumnus of UCLA, she is an award-winning short story author, and has numerous published newspaper and magazine articles. Davida lives in L.A. with her husband, Robelto, and son, David.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 264 pages
  • Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (August 17, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0595453848
  • ISBN-13: 978-0595453849
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,043,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The South Africa of His Heart, October 10, 2007
This review is from: The South Africa of His Heart: A Memoir about Love, Loss and Serendipity (Paperback)
Over the years, I have been acquainted with the work of this delightful writer through her various short stories, essays and articles on diverse topics. I have been eagerly awaiting her production of this marvelous work, and it was every bit worth the wait! Throughout this introspective book, the author's descriptive prose and melodic sentence structure serve to deeply involve the reader into the ups and downs and twists and turns of her life. This is definitely a rewarding read and I urge you not to miss it!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The South Africa of His Heart, October 9, 2007
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This review is from: The South Africa of His Heart: A Memoir about Love, Loss and Serendipity (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book immensely. It was definitely a page turner. Many times I found myself not wanting to put the book down. The author brought to life the scenic locations of New York, London, Paris, the Caribbean and Los Angeles in a way I haven't read about in a long time. The storm scenes in the Caribbean made me feel like I was experiencing a hurricane for the first time. I was enchanted by the weekend in Paris. Being from Los Angeles I thoroughly enjoyed reading about familiar locations throughout the city. I especially loved the references to UCLA. Reading about Sipho's lasting impression on his homeland through Davida's email communications with his family and fellow countryman was educational indeed. It's nice to read that even when you come out of a life of difficulty (time in Philadelphia) you can turn your life around. It was just a marvelous uplifting story and I can't wait to buy her next book.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Moving and Heart-Warming, October 15, 2007
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This review is from: The South Africa of His Heart: A Memoir about Love, Loss and Serendipity (Paperback)
This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. I normally don't read many biographies or autobiographies, but this one touched my soul. I laughed and cried with the author and her miraculous journey throughout her life. I live in Los Angeles and work at UCLA and could see and feel the atmosphere of her life here. The way she described the Carribean almost made me feel like I had lived there myself, although I have never been there. Her love and support for Sipho went beyond comprehension and is a rare thing nowadays. Ms. Siwisa James has been through so much on her life's journey and I wish her nothing but peace and happiness.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
sea grape tree
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Davida Siwisa James, South Africa, New York, Los Angeles, Port Elizabeth, Virgin Islands, Nelson Mandela, Tale of Two Cities, North Philly, Dennis Siwisa, Govan Mbeki, Magens Bay, Fort Hare, Shaka Zulu, Sipho Moses Siwisa, City Hall, United States, Jimmy Matyu, Eastern Cape, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, English Channel, Stephen Biko, West Indian, Vanga Siwisa, Rhodes Scholar
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