Bare: The Cradle of the Hockey Club

by Jackie Phamotse

Sandton, the hub of Africa's economic power, sex mavericks and high-class slay queens, the place where dreams are made. But sometimes it proves not to be the city of freedom, while the surface lights glitter, many are roped into the dark underground world of the rich and powerful. This is a season when men hold the key to every door and the weak will do anything to be part of the elite circle.

Treasure desires nothing more than pure love from her sugar daddy but she is starting to see that he has deep-rooted, dangerous fetishes that go beyond greed and lust. She longs for a better life yet isn't sure how she will ever find that. The sacrifices placed in the hands of her tormentor are deadly. Slowly, day by day, she walks into the shadows and claws of death. Her love for materialism will alter the course of her life dangerously. But with her naive softness comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness, fear and blood spills. She is back into the darkness, human traffic and organ sales. Terrified by the reality of her own naivete, treasure becomes entwined and trapped in a world of darkness and a terrible kind of glamour... Will she ever see the light?

Genres: Fiction, Hockey

410 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

Jackie Phamotse is a writer, businesswoman, social activist and philanthropist.

Her debut novel, BARE I: The Blesser’s Game, was published in 2017 and was awarded the African Icon Literary Award in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2018. Her second book, I Tweet What I Like, was inspired by the late struggle icon Steve Biko’s book, I Write What I Like. Jackie won the 2020 SA Book Awards for Best Fiction for her novel BARE II: The Cradle of The Hockey Club. She was also nominated for a bestselling award by Nielsen BookScan and SAPnet in 2023 for her book Bare IV: Mercy. Google listed Jackie as one of the most searched personalities in South Africa in 2020. She won an award for her Social Activism at the Women of Wonder Awards ceremony in 2020, the same year the Generational Wealth Foundation listed her as one of the most influential educators.

Jackie’s main objective is to create awareness around and find long-term solutions to eradicate social ills. She currently lives in Sandton, South Africa.

Reviews

[Yolanda Mtshali · Rating 5 out of 5]

"WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?" That was the question that I had in my mind as I was flipping through the pages of Bare: The Cradle of the Hockey Club by Jackie Phamotse. “Are we not taught as kids, that if something is too good to be true, then it usually is? Or is just me?” I was so emotionally invested in this second part of the Bare series. I found myself captivated by Jackie's use of literacy, this time around. I held on to every single word that she wrote. She made it seem so flawless the way that she could make you feel everything that the characters were feeling in the book. I experienced the anger building up inside of me, as I thought of what happens to young black girls in South Africa living the ‘Instagram life’. I felt pain in my chest as I saw the blood, the slashed anal holes, the thought of piss and the watery shit that they swallow - all for a couple of bucks and pretty pictures. "What?" I could see what they saw, and it frightened me. I cowered as I thought of the sophisticated human, walking around in daylight Sandton but acting like an animal in the shadows.

Regardless of this, there was a little excitement that also built inside of me. I could feel my thighs stiffen, and my vulva moisten as I began to imagine Tim's thick rod inside my apple. "Oh yes! Oh my God!"

It cannot just be for the money. Not for the men and not for the girls either. I feel like there is an explanation missing as to why people are tempted to this life. Is it merely just human nature, maybe? Could these books truly prevent one from being a part of this life? *breathes*

Anyway! I can openly say that I was quite impressed by Jackie. She did a great job with this book. You want to finish it, but also don't want it to end. She connected everything to the first book (so you must read Bare: The Blessers Game). She did a great job of answering questions raised in the first book. It is better. A few errors, such as misspelling of one or two character names. Which I think would need a third or forth editing and proof reading of the book, if she prints more copies. But this is a beautiful sequel. Cringe worthy. Scary!

I do recommend that the age restriction gets increased just a bit, maybe to 21. I understand that the series is meant to raise awareness of blessers. If you buy it for your younger sister or brother, engage in a conversation with them. Ask them how the book made them feel, what they think. I do not know if at 15 – 21 years they are aware of the differences between this right and wrong. At this age, they are finding themselves; and I think everyone wants to be popular. Personally, I read the book and secretly, deep, deep within me; I might want that life.

[Thuli]

Where can I read the book?

[Mincka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where do i read the book

[Karani Kimaru]

Terrible Terrible book. Don't waste your time on this.

[Nosipiwo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackie writes very well. The book is very interesting, and takes the reader in many highs and tense moments. This is her second book that I read. The first one was very believable, but I am not sure about this one. I bought it thinking it's non fiction, but the author took many liberties. I still enjoyed it lot.

[Bronwen Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The beginning was a bit slow. It has provided so much insight to the narrative of “Slay Queens”. Details became very gruesome at the end, but overall a well written storyline.

[Caroline Diale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and eye opening.

[Bathabile Mokgatla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! Love! Love!

[Zanele Duma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not able to access it😭😭😭

[Mostert Simasiku · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute pleasure to read. The literary direction , the diction , the DRAMA and subsequent intel 😮‍💨 wow Jackie ?!’ Maybe I can live in your brain.

This is such a thriller, i literally couldn’t wait find out “what’s next?” “What now ?” “Why would she do that?” “What’s wrong with this man”?

The ending ? I wanted more, I have so many questions Jackie!! What did she finally decide to do? Did they break free? What about Gibs? Did he find her? And Lintle, child and Paul- what became of them? Daphne ? Oh that witch- I don’t trust her, she confuses me. In fact I don’t like her, and idk why she’s just annoying 😩🤣🤣

All in All- thank you Jackie, you’ve definitely earned a fan in me and will continue to buy more of your books. Keep the midnight candle burning ❤️

[Mzu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of the book were unreadable and unbelievable. Maybe it's just my personal taste in books that did not jell with those bits. Overall, not a bad novel.

[Daniel Mruashiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riverting

[Vuyelwa Manase]

Love the book .

[Bonang Tlholonyane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening, as a young female in South this was very informative

[Minah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It left me scratching my head. From BARE to this. I don't know.