Kaleidoscope Song

July 15, 2017
A young black woman in Khayelitsha, South Africa, falls in love with another woman in this lyrical work of contemporary fiction. Neo has always been drawn to music, so when the hosts of UmziRadio, a radio show she loves, are scheduled to appear at a bar nearby, she is compelled to go even though she knows she risks angering her disapproving and strict parents. She is instantly smitten with Tale, the singer for one of the performing bands, and her believably self-conscious and fumbling pining gives way to a sweetly depicted experience of first love and sex that brims with warmth. Though she's had a best friend, Janet, for years, it is among Tale and her band mates that Neo finds actual acceptance and begins to gain a sense of herself. In short chapters punctuated by expressive sentence fragments that convey the inner workings of Neo's thoughts, readers will experience these feelings along with her, and this emotional resonance creates an effect that becomes much more painful as the novel builds to a devastating crescendo. In an afterword, author Benwell speaks directly to the privilege his white, British background affords and provides a list of LGBTQ support resources in the U.S., U.K., and South Africa. The denouement gathers together some strings of hope; this is an achingly real, heartbreaking, and important read. (Fiction. 14-adult)

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September 1, 2017

Gr 10 Up-A complicated, poetic, and seemingly well-researched novel, this YA title tells the story of Neo, a schoolgirl in modern-day Khayelitsha, South Africa, and her tragic first love. She sneaks out one night in an act of rebellion to seek out a music show. Neo loves music more than anything until she sees an older woman named Tale singing. From that moment on, Neo's goals solidify into two things: bringing music to the people and seeing Tale again. Though modern-day South Africa seems progressive when it comes to same-sex love, there are still deep prejudices within the communities, especially ones like Neo's. The development of the relationship of the two black women is very realistic and Neo's discovery of the queer world is heart-achingly sincere. The fallout of their relationship is brutal. Neo and Tale are victims of a starkly depicted gang rape and beating, which could be triggering for some readers. The fatal nature of this attack is only made palatable by the lyrical language. The ending of this horrifically realistic story comes quicker than expected and hints at some form of hope but might leave some unsatisfied. Give this long novel to sophisticated teens. The endnotes include a good discussion of privilege, music, and queer community resources. VERDICT For older readers and lovers of music, an additional purchase.-Kathryn Kania, Pelham Public Library, NH

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