Moffie
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4.8 • 12 Ratings
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- $2.99
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
A gay South African endures military conscription during the Angola Bush War in this autobiographical novel of persecution and hope— An “electrifying debut” (Shelf Awareness).
Nicholas van der Swart always knew he was different, but to avoid the violent punishments that come with being gay in Apartheid South Africa, he has carefully kept his true self a secret. By the standards of his brutal father and the machismo culture of Afrikaners, “moffies” like him deserve nothing but scorn.
Then, at nineteen years old, Nicholas is drafted into the South African army. He soon finds himself caught in a world entirely at odds with his identity, forced to fight for a cause he doesn’t believe in. Here, he will face the hatred and violence of his tormenters, but will also experience his first glimmers of love, and finally find the strength to survive.
A long overdue account of Apartheid South Africa’s criminalization of homosexuality, André Carl van der Merwe’s acclaimed debut novel is the basis for the critically acclaimed film Moffie, directed by Oliver Hermanus.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set during the Angola Bush War (1966 1989), this powerful debut exposes the violence of life in the South African army from the viewpoint of a young gay man. Growing up under the strict rule of his Afrikaans father, Nicholas van der Swart always felt out of place, especially after the tragic death of his older brother, Frankie, when the boys were children. Nick's father always insisted he wouldn't tolerate a "moffie," a derogatory Afrikaans term for homosexual, and one that was often bandied about in Nick's presence. It's expected that the mandatory conscription into the South African Defense Force when Nick turns 19 will toughen him up. The story shifts easily between Nick's childhood the few happy years with Frankie overshadowed by bullying at home and at school and his infantry initiation. Some of the push-until-they-break army grunt scenes lack original spark, but van der Merwe compensates with polished prose, atmospheric scenes, and rich character relationships, particularly those between Nick and three young men he meets at different stages of his grueling training. Ethan is the ethereal first love who satisfactorily doesn't disappear from the narrative; Malcolm becomes the reliable best friend who comes through in a pinch; and Dylan is the one who needs saving but might be beyond reach. Nick's homosexuality is never a cheap plot device; van der Merwe effectively uses the hatred and fear surrounding homosexuality to explore prejudice and what it takes to overcome it.
Customer Reviews
Too true…
This a book that rings very true. It reminds me of experiences in my own life that I both hated and remember vividly. I remember people who I cherish having known and others I seriously wished great harm. I have a feeling for what Nick’s life was like during that time, with challenges and sweet memories. Nick’s father and that side of his family would have challenged anyone. The army life, especially the leaders he endured, the friends he made, and the friends he lost, will always be alive in the shadows of that time’s memories. Mostly, I like that Nick survived, that he loved , and that this foundation was enough for a fulfilling life. Very good read!!