In Search of Liberation

"In Search of Liberation" describes the life of Emerald, growing up under Apartheid (60's-70's). First she sets off searching for her real roots which dates back to colonial times and the slave trade. She lives mostly on the "bright side" but soon discovers some mysteries while everyone thought she "had no sense of time" and her father called her "a walking disaster". Despite the almost idyllic environment that surrounds her, she soon discovers that there is always a snake in paradise. From small she tries to make sense of whispered conversations by the grown-ups and by the way she discovers a terrible family secret which is revealed in the book. She discovers some of her grandparents, but the identity of one, Abdul Ebrahim Hassan, remains shrouded in mystery. She reflects on some personal experiences of parental oppression at home and at school that leads initially to rebellion and later conscientization when reaching University in Cape Town. Participation together with fellow students in the Soweto uprising of 1976, while studying, is an important learning experience. The death of her lover causes deep personal trauma and brings on depression and other health problems, which becomes a constant battle. Later on when forced into exile she manages to come out into the light with "a little help" from her sisters, a few women friends and her mother's loving support through letter-writing. She manages to successfully complete her studies, find the love of her life, get married and have a family, something which seemed a virtual impossibility at one point. She also comes to the conclusion that finding one's roots is important but finding oneself even more so.