Heartwarming, honest and very funny - the story of a young boy growing up in a close and quirky 'coloured' community under apartheid. In 1962, at the age of five, Chris van Wyk went to school for the first time. Within days he learnt to recite Psalm 23. Bursting with pride, he rushed home to show off his newly acquired knowledge to his mother, Shirley. So taken was she with his accomplished delivery, that she burst into gales of laughter. Soon others were accorded the privilege of listening to him - again and again. And ...
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Heartwarming, honest and very funny - the story of a young boy growing up in a close and quirky 'coloured' community under apartheid. In 1962, at the age of five, Chris van Wyk went to school for the first time. Within days he learnt to recite Psalm 23. Bursting with pride, he rushed home to show off his newly acquired knowledge to his mother, Shirley. So taken was she with his accomplished delivery, that she burst into gales of laughter. Soon others were accorded the privilege of listening to him - again and again. And every time they responded as his mother had. So he carried on undaunted: ...Shirley, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The malapropism aptly reflects the tone of this heart-warming, compelling and honest story about a young boy growing up in the coloured townships of Newclare, Coronationville and Riverlea during the apartheid era. This is a delightful account of one boy's special relationship with the relatives, friends and neighbours - often decidedly quirky - in his community, and of the important role laughter and humour played during the years he spent in bleak and dusty townships.
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Add this copy of Shirley Goodness and Mercy-a Childhood Memoir to cart. $5.99, very good condition, Sold by Sixth Chamber Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from River Falls, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Picador Africa.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages.
Add this copy of Shirley, Goodness & Mercy: a Childhood Memoir to cart. $37.00, like new condition, Sold by Chapter 1 Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA, published 2010 by Picador Africa.
Add this copy of Shirley, Goodness & Mercy: a Childhood Memoir to cart. $39.00, like new condition, Sold by Chapter 1 Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA, published 2006 by Picador Africa.
Add this copy of Shirley, Goodness & Mercy: a Childhood Memoir to cart. $40.00, good condition, Sold by Chapter 1 Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA, published 2004 by Picador Africa.
Add this copy of Shirley, Goodness & Mercy: a Childhood Memoir to cart. $40.25, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Picador Africa.