Pulani

Unexpected challenges, an unexpected love story, "Pulani"shows us life in Apartheid South Africa as told by a young girl who saw her country and her life change forever.

Pulani's journey from the princess gates of childhood to teen pregnancy to an early adulthood is set against the South African veld, with its endless sky, native tribes, a mix of Boer and British cultures - and a growing climate of cultural mistrust, racial injustice, violence and murder as society falls apart. Pulani must learn very early what it means to be strong.

Raised by a dynamic mother in an affluent household of a small South African town, Pulani was a proper "English school girl." Mother followed her own rules. If one of the staff was caught without their passbook, Mother rescued them from jail. If needed, she came into the townships, the hospitals and anywhere else the rules of apartheid said she was not supposed to be. Sotho head cook Evelyn was Pulani's comfort and protector. Jewish Grandma Gussie was her strength. Evelyn calmed Mother's anger when Pulani fell in love with a tall, wickedly handsome Afrikaner boy. Together Gussie and Evelyn soothed Mother's hysteria when 17-year-old Pulani learns she is pregnant.

South African author Ruchel Louis came of age during apartheid's last turbulent days. "Pulani" is her African name. It means "rain".

REVIEWS:
"Pulani" is many things: a memoir, a coming of age story, and an odyssey in a changing political context. With humor and emotion, Ruchel tells a cliff hanger of a tale of growing up in one world and being forced to leave it for another. Reading it will make you love this exceptional woman and her story ... and make you want more when you finish."
-Diane K. Brewer, Co-Chair 2010 Literary Feast, Broward County Florida Public Library Foundation

"Ruchel's story is a must-read in the category of African coming-of-age memoirs. It belongs on your bookshelf as a counterpoint to Tracy Kidder's "Strength in What Remains" and Ishmael Beah's "A Long Way Gone." A captivating story of Apartheid South Africa through the eyes of a young girl."
-Davia Mazur, Esq., VP Cultural Arts and Programming, David Posnack JCC, Jewish Book Festival Committee