Book Review: Memoirs Of A Play-White The Autobiography & Other Writings by Helene Louiesa Mynhardt.

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Title: Memoirs Of A Play-White The Autobiography & Other Writings

Author: Helene Louiesa Mynhardt

Publisher: Helene Louiesa Mynhardt (May 27, 2018)

Publication Date: May 27, 2018

Number of pages: 139 pages

ASIN: B07DC8B494

Memoirs Of A Play-White The Autobiography & Other Writings comes under the category of non-fiction. The book is written by Helene Louiesa Mynhardt. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most interesting autobiographies that I have recently read.

The novel is the journey of little Louiesa from a child with an unprivileged background to an independent and enterprising lady. This book is also the journey of a nation from apartheid to racial and social integration.

Born in South Africa, author Helene Louiesa Mynhardt traces her grandmother and her mother’s journeys from childhood to adulthood. The author talks about the efforts her mother put in to change her situation in life but eventually succumbed to her pains by becoming an alcoholic.

She then goes on to tell us how her birth slowly and steadily helped her mother come to grips with her life and how the author’s desire to excel and overcome all hardships. As the situation in the author‘s life changes for the better, so does that of South Africa.

The beauty of the book Memoirs Of A Play-White The Autobiography & Other Writings by Helene Louiesa Mynhardt is not only her personal journey but South Africa’s journey as a nation. The time when new silver coins were introduced in South Africa is associated with little Louiesa’s memories of her being presented with a silver coin. Louiesa talks about how the government tried to uplift people’s living conditions by building houses and assigning neighbourhoods on racial distinctions. She talks about how birth registration rules were updated in 1952.

Sadly, every positive change that the government made was marred by apartheid. It’s heart-wrenching to hear about how far the segregation went. It percolated to every inch of South Africa’s existence. Author Helene Louiesa Mynhardt describes how in retail stores the coloured population was not allowed to enter the stores. When the government was condemned for apartheid, it came up with the silliest of conditions to maintain the status quo yet projecting an aura of equality. The event with the fashion pageant was a tongue in cheek effort by the government.

Segregation! Discrimination! They exist in every society to some extent. But the level of discrimination the people of South Africa have endured is heartbreaking. Every tale in the book is verified with dates and corresponding events. What stands out is how music united the people of South Africa when apartheid was at its height. Afro-hairstyle, music and plays bonded the people.

The contribution of Standard Chartered Bank in the economy of South Africa is evident. It is the Standard Chartered Bank that helped the author make a career as a banker and succeed in her personal and professional life. The office anecdotes of Standard  Chartered Bank is entertaining and fun.

But South Africa had to break free from all the shackles. The country had so much potential that the country had to rise above everything and everyone. Helene Louiesa Mynhardt, the author, truly represents the spirit of South Africa. She braved all difficulties, sadness, mishaps, to win ethically.

Who could represent the chronicles of the end of apartheid and the transformation of a beautiful but prejudiced nation into a generous one? It could be no one than Helene Louiesa Mynhardt.

Those countries and people who face segregation can learn how to reform from the history of South Africa and that of the author.

My personal take from Memoirs Of A Play-White The Autobiography & Other Writings by Helene Louiesa Mynhardt is that no one and no circumstance can stop you from shining if you have the calibre, the will, the zeal, and the tenacity to achieve your dreams. The author did. And so did the millions of people of South Africa who dreamed of a country unified in spirit and mind- a melting pot of races.

Memoirs Of A Play-White The Autobiography & Other Writings by Helene Louiesa Mynhardt is immensely inspiring.

We at WeLoveQualityBooks give Memoirs Of A Play-White The Autobiography & Other Writings by Helene Louiesa Mynhardt, Five Stars for its excellent storytelling, flow, objectivity, and spirit.

Memoirs Of A Play-White: The Autobiography Other Writings by Helene Louiesa Mynhardt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars