A gripping first novel in the tradition of such great southern African writersas Nadine Gordimer and Doris Lessing. Spare beautiful prose builds to anunforgetta... » 

A gripping first novel in the tradition of such great southern African writersas Nadine Gordimer and Doris Lessing. Spare beautiful prose builds to anunforgettable climax. Booklist Pamela Giens novel is impressivelyaffecting. She is a wonder. The Syringa Tree as a play was uniquely moving butGien has taken it beyond its walls and given us remarkable writing that standsfreely as a deeply affecting and fresh telling of this classic story. Lillian Ross The story of a young girl and her cherished caretaker is thestory of a heartbroken country. Pamela Gien brings South Africa to vivid lifeilluminating how the bonds of love are stronger than the forces of history. Iread the end of the book through tears.Amanda Eyre Ward author of How to BeLost This book plunges us inside the skin of humanity and is suffused with arare understanding. The Syringa Tree reminds us that every life can be adropand a great deal morein the sea of history.Scott Simon author ofPretty Birds and Home and Away Gien captures perfectly the voice of thechild Elizabeth and the grown woman she becomes. Evocative and impassioned. Baltimore Sun A gorgeous hopeful heartrending novel. . . . Thisuncommonly moving deeply humane novel nearly dances in a readers hands withthe rhythms and the colors the complicatedness and the inimitability ofsouthern Africa.O The Oprah MagazineFrom the Hardcover edition. «