The House in Tyne Street: Childhood Memories of District Six, by Linda Fortune (used)

Linda Fortune and I share something unforgettable–a place called District Six. Aspeling Street, where I grew up, faced the Gangat home in Tyne Street. Later, when I worked at the Hyman Liberman Library in Muir Street, Linda used to fetch books for her father and herself. I remember the eager young school girl well.

Now Linda has written her own book - childhood reminiscences that vividly recall the place where we and so many others grew up. She presents a kaleidoscope of people, events and personal experiences: adventures and drama at school, in the streets and lanes and on rooftops, interspersed with descriptions of shops, shopkeepers and goods for sale, neighbours and naughtiness.

The writing is simple and compassionate, the humour generous, even when writing of adversity.

Her father's death; the overnight disappearance of her friend Lindiwe Mtwa whose parents were required to carry pass books; the German immigrant who fixed primus stoves to earn a living and very reluctantly left District Six; the unceremonious eviction of the Jeewa brothers, the best barbers in town, are particularly poignantly described because they are seen through the eyes of a young girl.

An excellent memoir that can be enjoyed by all, whether they lived in District Six or not.

Condition: fair