The Year the Gypsies Came

by Linzi Glass

Hardcover, 2006

Status

Available

Call number

823.92

Genres

Young Adult

Children's Books

Fiction

Collection

Your library

Publication

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (2006), Edition: First Edition, 272 pages

Description

In Johannesburg, South Africa, in the late 1960s, twelve-year-old Emily, who longs for affection from her quarreling parents, finds comfort in the stories of a Zulu servant and in her friendship with a young houseguest who has an equally troubled family.

User reviews

LibraryThing member ice-cream-and-jelly

Emily Iris looks foward to the times her parents welcome house guests to their family's unhappy home on the edge of Johannesburg. For a while, as long as the vistors are there, her mother and father will put their quarrels aside and be like a real family.
In the spring of 1966, a family of

wanderers-an Australian couple and their two boys-comes to stay. But the arrival of these 'gypsies' starts a chain of events that will shatter Emily's hopes of a happy family life and change then all forever...
[from back of book]

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LibraryThing member edspicer

It is always a distinct pleasure to read an author’s first novel. When the first novel is lyrically written, powerful, and a possible Printz winner, I get goose bumps. Glass has written such a novel. Set in apartheid South Africa, this novel tells the story of Emily and her family. Unable to

communicate with one another, Emily’s parents take in guests to avoid problems. When they take in a racist and abusive wildlife photographer and family, their problems mount exponentially. Their Zulu, night watchman, Buza, and his stories are the “honey-glue” that keeps Emily centered and sane. Glass’s novel is that rare book that provides an insider look into other cultures without losing the narrative voice of 12-year-old Emily. The mounting problems avoid any hint of contrivance and sweep the reader along. The characters are vivid, three dimensional creations that convince readers of their humanity. While readers must contend with much that is sad and horrifying (child abuse, a rape, apartheid horrors), the book is emotionally satisfying and surprisingly uplifting, without ever hitting a false note. The Year the Gypsies Came provides teachers with opportunities to discuss world history, politics, geography, folklore, cultural traditions, oral traditions, and so much more. Highly recommended for all high school libraries.

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LibraryThing member audramelissa

Twelve year old Emily craves affection from her constantly quarreling parents. She is tomboy with few friends, only her kind older sister and their Zulu servant, Buza who tells her stories of wisdom and magic. When a mysterious family of wanderers comes to stay, Emily finds a kindred soul in one of

the houseguests as she learns of the pain and struggles of those all around her in apartheid South Africa.

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LibraryThing member 15louisn

This is a story of Emily,a twelve year old girl in South Africa. Her family is disconnected and her parents fight a lot. Her only comfort is Buza, the ancient Zulu watchman that tells her the tales of his people. Emily's life suddenly changes when her father invites the family of a wildlife

photographer to come an live with them till they can find a place to stay. This is a very sad book, with also a good history of racism in South Africa.

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LibraryThing member ljbwell

Set in apartheid South Africa, The Year the Gypsies Came centers around a 12-year old girl, Emily, whose family is splitting at the seams. Her parents often encourage house guests to stay, including the those of the title - not really gypsies, but a wandering wildlife photographer and his family.

Sprinkled through the book are stories told to Emily by the family night watchman - some traditional Zulu, others more historical.

I don't know why I do this, but: elements of Of Mice and Men and the movie Ice Storm put in Jo'burg during apartheid. Beautifully written.

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LibraryThing member SMG-MMorrison

The year the gypsies came was a verry intellegent read. For me it pulled me in and I was not able to put it down it's a story about a girl who lives in johannasberg with her family who are white but they let black people in there lives and one day they have some visitors that stay for a long time

at their house but they are a verry interesting group of people!

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