Hörst du, wie der Himmel singt?

by Kirsten Miller

In einem kleinen Häuschen, irgendwo in der südafrikanischen Provinz, zieht eine Mutter drei Kinder alleine auf: Zuko, Honey und Ash. Der achtjährige Zuko spricht immer noch nicht, Honey kränkelt und auf den Schultern des 17-jährigen Ash lastet viel Verantwortung. Früher kam im Sommer jeweils ein Mann zu Besuch. Die Mutter schien dann jeweils glücklich, doch nach einem Streit tauchte der Mann eines Tages nicht mehr auf. Was mit Zuko los ist, wissen die Mutter und Ash nicht, aber sie kümmern sich mit viel Liebe und Geduld um das Kind, das die Welt auf seine eigene Art zu erleben scheint. Als Honey immer schwächer wird, gibt es keine Rettung für sie und kurze Zeit später stirbt auch die Mutter. Alles, was Ash nach dem Begräbnis bleibt, sind sein Bruder, der Name und die Adresse jenes Mannes in der Stadt – und die Annahme, dass dieser Mann ihr Vater ist. So machen sich die beiden Brüder zusammen auf – zu Fuss, denn für eine Busfahrt reicht das Geld nicht. Ein steiniger Weg voller Entbehrungen, Gefahren, aber auch Unterstützung und Liebe liegt vor ihnen. Ash tut alles, damit es seinem Bruder gut geht. Dieser spricht zwar nicht, hat aber trotzdem viel zu sagen. In der Stadt angekommen, spürt Ash den Mann auf. Ist er ihr Vater? Und wird er die beiden Jungen bei sich aufnehmen? Kirsten Miller zeichnet ein vielschichtiges Bild Südafrikas: Da steht Liebe neben Gewalt, Armut neben Reichtum. Der Pfad zwischen Fatalismus und Verantwortung ist schmal in dieser spannungsgeladenen Gesellschaft. Doch letztlich geht es in diesem bewegenden und bis zur letzten Seite spannenden Roman um die Würde des Menschen, um das Recht auf Selbstbestimmung und um den Umgang mit Andersartigkeit ohne Kategorisierung.

279 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Kirsten Miller is a writer of novels, non-fiction, and short stories. She lives in Durban, South Africa. Her first novel, "All is Fish," was shortlisted for the Jacana/EU Literary Awards. She was a three-times finalist in the SA PEN literary award in South Africa. Her non-fiction book, "Children on the Bridge" about her early experiences working in the field of autism was long-listed for the Alan Paton/Sunday Times award for non-fiction. "Sister Moon" is her second novel, published by Umuzi in 2014.

Reviews

[Tiah]

Book Bite for the Sunday Times: http://bit.ly/2KUy8Jk

~Within dreams we awaken, and in our waking we dream.~

~The longer you live, the less you expect things to happen the way you want them to.~

~Out here there was darkness, deep enough to contains such sounds, and the intensity of his own restless experience. Here, the air bubbled, big enough to carry his laughter with it. Here, his insides expanded endlessly, like the pacing, the walking, the surface of the earth that continued large and wide. Out here, he became a part of forever.~

~When the wind blew and pushed dirty foam inshore, Ash said it was the dried blood of old sailors grown light, blowing in on the wind.~

~His brother's body was there, but he didn't know where to find him.~

~The stars were never late. They had been visiting him, reliably, since the start of his life.~

~He learned that if things ceased to exist, he would remain in the space between, where the only sound was the hum of the sun.~

~Working for someone is like playing a game, and always letting that person win.~

~It's bad luck to interrupt a man's dreams. It leaves things unfinished. Half-formed.~

[Zozo Mogoera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 1 sitting. Couldn’t put it down. Wanted to know the boys’ fate. The book is well written. I wished I could live in Zuko’s head. A brave decision in the end. When they started the journey, they didn’t know what to expect but the second time, they knew what lay ahead.To choose it a second time, an act of immense courage. Am rooting for them...

[Sue Nyathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another of those emotive books which left me floored. 286 pages later you almost think these boys walked for nothing but that would be negating all the valuable lessons the journey to finding "their father" taught them.
The book is well structured with life with their mother anchoring the beginning and life with their father anchoring the end. In between, the boys are on their own, forging their path in a cruel world. But even in a desert of futility lies an oasis of hope, offered by people like Ela.
The characters are complex and beautifully crafted. Ash and Zuko carried the burdensome story well and my heart heaved for them every step of the way. I am still reeling with anger at Dominic. Feeling sorry for Ash. Disappointed because Zuko deserved so much more.
The lesson: Our love is anchored in our mothers. I don't know if this is because they carry us for nine months and so bond with us more intrinsically. Fathers are the weakest link, like the umbilical cords that are discarded after birth.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most moving, beautifully written novels I have ever read. The story of two brothers setting out to find their father after losing their sister and mother, the older of whom must protect his young sibling who does not talk. Book reviewer Jenny Crwys-Williams says that this is "Easily onr of the most exquisitely writtten novels I have ever read. Heartbreaking, joyful, and suffused with love". I agree with her unreservedly - read this and read it again.

[Sukoluhle Nontokozo Nontokozo]

A page-turning, heartwarming, touching and well crafted story of survival, finding oneself and making choices.

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, great characterization. It's rare to find a South African book that is not about race. This is certainly about inequality and poverty, and race does come into it - but much of the time the race of a character is not even mentioned. The relationship is nicely portrayed, and there is a knowledgeable portrait of an autistic character. I'm thinking about a 5, but the buddy/road trip plot is not entirely new, and makes the plot thinner and many of the characters too brief to be three dimensional. Rain Man in poor South Africa? And while I disagree with the cultural appropriation police, I did wonder about Ms Millers authority to write from Ash's POV. Still it's definitely worth the read. I may not have been champing at the bit to find out what happens next, but I cared about the characters, and really wanted to know how things worked out for them. Memorable and wise.

[Penny de Vries · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, unmissable tale of brotherly love, children on an incredible journey. Imagining how children who cannot communicate interpret the world is not an easy feat but in this book it is achieved with love and beauty. Your heart will be torn while your spirit soars.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful written book. I really enjoyed this.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend Kirsten Miller's book about the journey of Ash and his autistic brother. Kirsten gets into the mind of the autistic character. The characters are well described and I found I learned a lot from observing the interaction between Ash and Zuko and the other characters.

[Deece de Paor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright, bit of a ‘one boy’s struggle’ that has become a bit cliched but nevertheless interesting enough. Was able to skim read it.