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How the Water Falls
On the fringes of a civil war arise a kaleidoscope of stories of abuse, power, betrayal, sex, love, and absolution, all united by the failings of a dying government. Set in the backdrop during the last years of South Africa's apartheid, How the Water Falls is a psychological thriller that unfolds the truth and deception of the system’s victims, perpetrators, and unlikely heroes.
The two main characters, one white, Joanne– a reporter, the other black, Lena– a banned activist, have their lives continuously overlap through the people they know during a thirteen-year period and eventually become friends as a result of their interviews together. Joanne personifies the need to question and investigate apartheid’s corruption from a white person’s perspective. Although her intentions begin with idealism, no matter how naïve, as the years pass while the system is failing, she crosses the threshold of what it means to be caught up inside the belly of the beast, especially after crossing paths with the Borghost brothers. Lena, who is inspired by her predecessors, such as Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, is among the minority of black women to peacefully battle for equality, even if her struggle is indicative of sacrificing her health and safety. Hans Borghost is Johannesburg’s commissioner of police who, like all those before, had a military background before pursuing a law enforcement career. Violent, manipulative, and controlling, he incarnates the image of South Africa’s perpetrators. Jared Borghost is the younger brother of Hans and, like his brother, has a military background, but unlike Hans, he internally combats between his sense of duty and morality. His inconsistency indicates a conscience that leaves one to ponder whether Jared is either a perpetrator, victim, or both. As his surname suggests, Bor-GHOST represents the “ghosts” that haunt the family’s past. Many other characters play the roles of spies, freedom fighters, lovers, adversaries, and supporters.
This novel is as complex as apartheid was itself, unlacing fabrics of each character’s life to merge into a catalyst downfall. The question of who will survive this downfall will suffice in the courts of truth and reconciliation and whether love is strong enough to preserve peace.
The two main characters, one white, Joanne– a reporter, the other black, Lena– a banned activist, have their lives continuously overlap through the people they know during a thirteen-year period and eventually become friends as a result of their interviews together. Joanne personifies the need to question and investigate apartheid’s corruption from a white person’s perspective. Although her intentions begin with idealism, no matter how naïve, as the years pass while the system is failing, she crosses the threshold of what it means to be caught up inside the belly of the beast, especially after crossing paths with the Borghost brothers. Lena, who is inspired by her predecessors, such as Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, is among the minority of black women to peacefully battle for equality, even if her struggle is indicative of sacrificing her health and safety. Hans Borghost is Johannesburg’s commissioner of police who, like all those before, had a military background before pursuing a law enforcement career. Violent, manipulative, and controlling, he incarnates the image of South Africa’s perpetrators. Jared Borghost is the younger brother of Hans and, like his brother, has a military background, but unlike Hans, he internally combats between his sense of duty and morality. His inconsistency indicates a conscience that leaves one to ponder whether Jared is either a perpetrator, victim, or both. As his surname suggests, Bor-GHOST represents the “ghosts” that haunt the family’s past. Many other characters play the roles of spies, freedom fighters, lovers, adversaries, and supporters.
This novel is as complex as apartheid was itself, unlacing fabrics of each character’s life to merge into a catalyst downfall. The question of who will survive this downfall will suffice in the courts of truth and reconciliation and whether love is strong enough to preserve peace.
345 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2014
2 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
K.P. Kollenborn
9 books31 followersFirst and foremost, I am a GenXer who has experienced old technology moving into the new millennium while being a parent of two GenZers. Secondly, I am fortunate to have been trained by one the top ten writing teachers in the U.S., respectably from the Great Generation, the late Leonard Bishop, and author of 'Dare to be a Great Writer.' I owe my love of writing to him.
Although I’ve been writing since childhood, I have a BA in history. I love studying history as much as wanting to evoke stories. I like to believe that after decades worth of introspection we have learned to value our lessons, and the best way to recite our lessons are through storytelling. Aside from being a writer, I have a graphics art degree and a sub teaching license. My husband and I once owned a music store, a pizaa delivery business, and several internet businesses. I also have dabbled with real estate and am grateful I got the heck out right before the crash. Sadly, history tends to repeat itself in important ways. In addition, I make mini-documentaries on YouTube, typically historical, but not always. Currently my family continues to live outside of Kansas City and will always have roots tied to Kansas.
Although I’ve been writing since childhood, I have a BA in history. I love studying history as much as wanting to evoke stories. I like to believe that after decades worth of introspection we have learned to value our lessons, and the best way to recite our lessons are through storytelling. Aside from being a writer, I have a graphics art degree and a sub teaching license. My husband and I once owned a music store, a pizaa delivery business, and several internet businesses. I also have dabbled with real estate and am grateful I got the heck out right before the crash. Sadly, history tends to repeat itself in important ways. In addition, I make mini-documentaries on YouTube, typically historical, but not always. Currently my family continues to live outside of Kansas City and will always have roots tied to Kansas.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 5, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. No other consideration was offered, expected or received.
This is a sad and scary story set at a time in South African history before the apartheid ends, when the civil war was just getting started. It is basically the story of Joanne and Lena, two very different women (one white and one black), but at the same time very much alike - they both want a better South Africa and they both are willing to be open-mouthed about it. As they continue on for the next thirteen years, a lot of stuff happens to them and around them - and a friendship grows between them.
As the author says in the book description (a must read, by the way, along with the "from the author" on the Amazon book page), this is a very complex story and it jumps around a lot, sometimes slow and sometimes hard to follow. And yet I kept reading because I found the whole thing very interesting and I wanted - no, needed - to know what was going to happen next. There are several moments where I literally caught my breath and didn't realize I had until I let it all out when whichever character was on the page was safe again.
Very moving, very emotional - and the author has included a lot of historical information in the book as well.
This is a sad and scary story set at a time in South African history before the apartheid ends, when the civil war was just getting started. It is basically the story of Joanne and Lena, two very different women (one white and one black), but at the same time very much alike - they both want a better South Africa and they both are willing to be open-mouthed about it. As they continue on for the next thirteen years, a lot of stuff happens to them and around them - and a friendship grows between them.
As the author says in the book description (a must read, by the way, along with the "from the author" on the Amazon book page), this is a very complex story and it jumps around a lot, sometimes slow and sometimes hard to follow. And yet I kept reading because I found the whole thing very interesting and I wanted - no, needed - to know what was going to happen next. There are several moments where I literally caught my breath and didn't realize I had until I let it all out when whichever character was on the page was safe again.
Very moving, very emotional - and the author has included a lot of historical information in the book as well.
December 18, 2016
The author of this book has made a thorough analysis of the deep complexities of the issues facing South African society. She has expertly woven historical details into the narrative, showing the effects on the lives of her main characters. Some details are horrific - as they were at the time. (And I know because I was there.) The author has also done well to use some of the colloquial language as well as some of the various African languages and slang. This book does grip you and drag you in to the huts of a township, to the streets of downtown Johannnesburg, and into the bleakness of the police stations. I was provided with a free copy of the book through Reading Deals, in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2014
A Compelling Story
How Water Falls kept me in suspense by characters trying to redeem themselves. The book is an eye opener on the Apartheid years in South Africa, and perpetrated by white Afrikaners and Dutch ancestors. Both whites and blacks were held by fear: the former by fear of contamination; and the blacks by fear of annihilation. The Apartheid years, or physical separation of blacks and ‘coloured’ from the whites from 1960 to 1983, left deep scars on the black population's psyche in a history of racism beginning in 1695. In the end both people could only win by establishing a dialog between the two sides.
“Without de flow of water, dere can only be death,” begins the remarkable Bantu sentence on the first page of the book, as Joanne Carrey remembered her parents’ gardener telling her. As a white reporter working for a small press, Joanne covers the crimes committed by the Afrikaner minority rulers when she hears of Lena’s heartbreaking story.
Lena Skosana Mkize is the black character fighting to regain her humanity after a brutal and traumatic event in her life. This is caused by the incompetence of Colonel Hans Borghost in charge of keeping the peace between the Boers and the Blacks.
Jared Borghost is a striking character who shows guilt and remorse for mistreating the blacks while working for his brother Colonel Hans Borghost. Jared rebels against his brother orders. This is a complete turn around for this character. From a past carrying violence to fighting against it, he is able to bring resolution for the victims--a pivotal point in the story. This call to consciousness might endanger his safety.
The love story between Joanne and the turmoil that Jared feels connects them and bridges the two sides of the drama. This is a poignant attraction that shows that love can exist between two opposing characters.
This is a remarkably well-written book by Ms. Kollenborn. The dialogue with South African, tribal dialect was amazingly reproduced. I could hear them speaking in their native tongues. The well-researched historical information on South Africa and the Apartheid era is masterfully recreated to show what happened to these flesh and blood individuals. This is an amazing story that not only informed me on those dark years of Apartheid, but also kept me routing for the black victims. This is a must read for everyone.
July 15, 2014
Although I am an avid student of history, I’ll admit that I don’t know much beyond the basics of apartheid-era South Africa. Because of this I jumped at the chance to read How the Water Falls, since I find it is often so enlightening to see the story through a character’s eyes rather than a dry textbook. As I had hoped, Joanne and Lena proved to be fascinating teachers.
How the Water Falls primarily follows Joanne, a white South African of British descent, and Lena, a black South African activist, focusing primarily on their interactions with the Borghost brothers, Hans and Jared, who are Afrikaaners (of Dutch descent) and members of the police force. Joanne writes for a small newspaper, and Lena would love to write,but is prevented by her status and activist record. She is frequently harassed by the police, captained by Hans Borghost. Joanne tries to tell Lena’s story, but is prevented by politics and fear of retribution. I should note, harassment is probably the most polite way of putting it, there is description of violence in this book, and while from what I know it is accurate it is still stomach-turning.
It was a long and winding tale, but How the Water Falls leads to a somewhat gentle conclusion for those who endured such violence. I think this was somewhat evident in the languid writing style, which contrasted with the conflict inherent in the tale. Although the story at points left me wondering as to how it could possibly end in a positive resolution, I think that it did reflect the hope brought by the end of apartheid, without compromising the reality of trying to rebuild a country that endured through such internal strife.
How the Water Falls primarily follows Joanne, a white South African of British descent, and Lena, a black South African activist, focusing primarily on their interactions with the Borghost brothers, Hans and Jared, who are Afrikaaners (of Dutch descent) and members of the police force. Joanne writes for a small newspaper, and Lena would love to write,but is prevented by her status and activist record. She is frequently harassed by the police, captained by Hans Borghost. Joanne tries to tell Lena’s story, but is prevented by politics and fear of retribution. I should note, harassment is probably the most polite way of putting it, there is description of violence in this book, and while from what I know it is accurate it is still stomach-turning.
It was a long and winding tale, but How the Water Falls leads to a somewhat gentle conclusion for those who endured such violence. I think this was somewhat evident in the languid writing style, which contrasted with the conflict inherent in the tale. Although the story at points left me wondering as to how it could possibly end in a positive resolution, I think that it did reflect the hope brought by the end of apartheid, without compromising the reality of trying to rebuild a country that endured through such internal strife.
July 23, 2014
Although this is a work of fiction, the author has done an amazing job in her research and portrayal of one the most horrific episodes of South African (and human) history. The author takes us through the journey of two specific women, one white, one black and their struggles to end apartheid and the suffering and death it created, but also the deep and loving friendship that developed between them.
The only reason I gave this 4 stars was due to a variety of typographical and editing errors that appeared about half-way through the book and continued through the end (although they don’t distract too much from the story, so please don’t be deterred). However this is such a powerful and moving story that I couldn’t put it down and it’s left a haunting impression on me that will stay with me for quite some time. If you’re interested in historical fiction, this is the book for you. But beware, this book is not for the faint of heart, the horrors depicted are graphic and atrocious, but more importantly, historically correct and that is the true horror.
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review (see all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/)
July 25, 2014
How the Water Falls by K.P. Kolleborn was such a touching novel. It depicts the lives of both white and black people during and slightly after the years of Apartheid. I must say this book did take me a few days to read, but I am glad I made it from cover to end.
The strong actions of Lena a young black woman with a mind to see people treated fairly and the actions of the young white journalist Joanne; their characters truly took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I laughed, cried, became angry at the circumstances at the life people had to endure through and live.
This novel does not give you a whole picture of life during Apartheid. This novel provides a small glimpse into that time period. I took away so much from this and discovered that perseverance is the key to righting wrong. Amazing novel!
The strong actions of Lena a young black woman with a mind to see people treated fairly and the actions of the young white journalist Joanne; their characters truly took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I laughed, cried, became angry at the circumstances at the life people had to endure through and live.
This novel does not give you a whole picture of life during Apartheid. This novel provides a small glimpse into that time period. I took away so much from this and discovered that perseverance is the key to righting wrong. Amazing novel!
June 28, 2014
This novel takes us back in the not so distant past and shows us the horrors of South African apartheid. A painful but true remainder of how cruel people can be when given the opportunity.
Most of us don't care enough to learn what's happening in most African countries where poverty and terror still reign.
I like this book because it makes me aware of what's happening in the real word and I would like to think that anybody can make a difference, no matter how small that might be if we care enough and do something about it.
I highly recommend it to everybody! Thumbs up!
Most of us don't care enough to learn what's happening in most African countries where poverty and terror still reign.
I like this book because it makes me aware of what's happening in the real word and I would like to think that anybody can make a difference, no matter how small that might be if we care enough and do something about it.
I highly recommend it to everybody! Thumbs up!
August 30, 2014
"May your reading journey be filled with wonder and enlightenment" K.P. Kollenborn
And it was as How the Water Falls is an honest, moving history of the brutalityendured during apartheid in South Africa. It explores the politics and ethics of this era and made me think. This is historical fiction at its best and a must read.
Due to some poor editing and a lot of typos, this book gets only 4 stars, but the writing deserves 5.
I am privileged to have received a copy of How the Water Falls compliments of Goodreads and the author, for my honest review.
And it was as How the Water Falls is an honest, moving history of the brutalityendured during apartheid in South Africa. It explores the politics and ethics of this era and made me think. This is historical fiction at its best and a must read.
Due to some poor editing and a lot of typos, this book gets only 4 stars, but the writing deserves 5.
I am privileged to have received a copy of How the Water Falls compliments of Goodreads and the author, for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews