Review by Tsitsi Mapepa Mutasa

The “Chameleon” is one book that has left me giggling so many times, and with tears flooding my eyes because I felt so many things in my heart.
As we follow Rorke Wilde, a young man on the cusp of adulthood, there is no better place to show the emotions a young man going through adolescence than a boarding high school.
The author has done it well without relying on physical features.
From beginning to end, the story is rich with the languages of Africa and Europe.
Being familiar with some of these languages and the accents of our favorite characters, it was a pleasure reading this novel, but also a reminder of so many things that make us who we are on this Earth.

A setting inhabited by people from all walks of life living in unity is one that is blessed.
But a blessed place is also one that is bound to have conflicts arise from minor and major issues.
People perceive things differently, but diversity reveals the humankind God created, which all deserves to be treated with nothing but kindness and love.
“The Chameleon” is asking for that because the reasons people leave places they call home are heartbreaking.
If we cannot ask ourselves this, then what is our purpose in this world?

As an immigrant, too, like the author, the unforgotten memories, the lives that could have been, and relationships separated are shadows always haunting us, especially when death takes one of us.
The strong bond between Rorke and Themba is very special, one that kept me reading the book.
We form eternal relationships with people we spiritually connect with, yet we yearn to be noticed by those who take advantage of our existence.
The author shows this part of our lives unapologetically.
It hurts, but it is life.
I was pleased to see my favorite characters reuniting in South Africa, but hurt by the way they parted.
If any consolation,
I believe these two will meet again in another world.