A Telling Time

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Summary: Thriller
Review: A thriller and historical, - this was a page turner. A very interesting expose of South Africa during apartheid.

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Summary: A brilliant book by a brilliant author
Review: From an avid reader and an English major at Georgetown University, I can honestly say that A Telling Time is one of the best novels I have read in the last few years. With brilliant character development, a suspenseful plot, and a conclusion that derives hope for humanity, to me, Glynnis Hayward is one of the more exciting up-and-coming authors out there. I highly recommend this book to all of you who share my appreciation for great literature.

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Summary: Authentic
Review: From the first to last page I was involved at a deeply emotional level. The characters and story authentic and real; I could not put the book down. A well crafted and beautifully written story of life as it was in SA in the '70s - I know, I was there!

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Summary: An Eye-Opener
Review: I was fortunate to hear Ms Hayward speak at a book group meeting recently. I had already been impressed by the book and felt even more so after the meeting. This book has you gasping in horror and crying, yet even at odd moments laughing. The characters are so real and the subject matter so grim; they're a real reminder of what fear can do to warp reasoning. It seems to me that those horrors of 1970s South Africa; loss of individual's freedom, and abuse of power, are things that re-visit again and again in different times and places. Sometimes they are very close to home.

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Summary: Captivating reading
Review: Once I had started reading A Telling Time by Glynnis Hayward, I could not put the book down. The story line is gripping: it not only made me much more aware of South Africa during the 1970's and how brutal the police system was for opponents of the government, it questioned the horror that humans can inflict on each other. The lessons learned from the story apply much more broadly than apartheid South Africa. The book helped me understand vividly how undemocratic regimes with security apparatus that has no limit to its power can exercise control and terror over its citizens. It did so with chilling descriptions of torture, brutality and deception yet kept me hooked with the courage of people who defied the system at great personal cost. This is a must read

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Summary: A Taste of Africa
Review: This book is full of suspense and keeps you turning the pages. You can't believe what you're reading at times, yet the subject matter is all too real. Its made me very interested to read more about South Africa.

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Summary: A Telling Time review
Review: This was a very gripping read. I absolutely could not put it down. It was well written and very moving and reminded me of "Cry the Beloved Country."

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Summary: What a Telling Time...
Review: What a wonderful novel, and so visual that you feel you are in the room with the characters. Glynnis Hayward has created a page-turning novel that helps you understand South Africa during apartheid. Read this book!

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Summary: Torture and Abuse
Review: When we see what's going on now in Iraq in terms of abuse of prisoners, it doesn't sound too different from what happened in this novel, A TELLING TIME. There seemed to be no hope in South Africa then, but as one reads this book, it becmes apparent that it was possible to reconcile. Perhaps we can hope for such a miracle here.