Customer Reviews

The Year the Gypsies Came

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Year the Gypsies Came is a magical, mystical tale from South Africia told by a magnificant writer with a deep connection to the Zulu warrior and the universal qualities of the human being. I could not put it down. Magical realism from Africa! Wow!

The Year the Gypsies Came is an amazing book. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing Emily's life. Experiencing a time when being black or white predetermined your standard of living, but not your happiness. Yet the children were still able to enjoy the "richness" of black and white.

I hope you enjoy reading the book as much as I did.

Before reading "The Year The Gypsies Came" by Linzi Glass I read all the glowing reviews with a skeptic's eye. Now that I have just completed this book let me rush to join the chorus who sing its praises.

This intimate family story envelops the reader not only in the personal, but also in the larger story of Apartheid in South Africa. The novel becomes increasingly engaging as it unfolds. Especially compelling is the relationship between the young narrator, Emily, and the elderly Zulu night watchman with his wondrous tales filled with poetic wisdom.

The impressive narrative is tightly woven and moves inexorably forward. Every word, phrase and sentence is there for a reason. How refreshing and unusual it is to find a book that is neither too long, nor hopelessly marred by excessive details.

Linzi Glass' remarkable achievement is that through her lyrical prose she presents simultaneously the astonishing beauty of her native South Africa along with its correspondent sadness.

Some of my best friends are my books. I often go back to a select few and reread passages that I have found to be particularly memorable. Surely "The Year The Gypsies Came" will join my group of special friends.

In a voice that is original, powerful and wise, Linzi Glass has written a gorgeous, cannot-put-it-down book about the human cost of Apartheid. Its characters, especially the young protagonist Emily Iris, are immediately accessible and we simply want to follow them into their world, painful and deeply beautiful as it is. The only consolation in reaching the last page was that I could put the book into the waiting hands of my teenage daughter to be thoroughly enjoyed again.

It's hard to believe this is Linzi Glass' debut novel --"Gypsies" is simply enthralling. From the very first page, you are caught up in the story of a family coming apart at the seams, a strange set of visitors, a wise old Zulu watchman who tells magical folktales, and a country beset by madness. Glass' lyricism and insight turn this gripping tale into a work of art. I highly recommend it -- for teens, and especially for adults.

The Year the Gypsies came made me miss a dinner date! I simply could not put it down, and read with tears streaming down my face until well after midnight.
A poignant story, wonderfully written whose characters will remain with me forever.

A must read!

I read this book out of curiosity! I had heard so much about it, I was pleasantly amazed. Linzi Glass, throughout the entire book kept my interest, Her very descriptive writing style had me envisioning everything in my minds eye, the entire read was very pleasureable, experiencing every emotion. I would recommend all read it!

This beautifully written novel evokes so realistically the memories I have of a place and a time where I lived as a child. The story is both haunting and hopeful. The Year the Gypsies Came will enthrall adults and teenagers alike. I can't wait to share it with my sixteen-year-old daughter.

I really love this book. Ms. Glass captures the wistful longing for love and attention while growing up in an out of kilter family. This artfully echoes the apartheid background to the story, where, for example, society encourages the girl narrator to turn her back on the black nightwatchman, who is the only person who provides her with emotional support and nurturing. The girl's courage and desire for truth are inspirational and help shine light on the disfunction around her. The pitch of the story is excellent and the tales of African folklore add poetic wisdom. I read Gypsies in one sitting.

a stunning, engrossing and wonderfully compassionate story magically told by a writing master. A must read for any adult and young adult.