About this ebook
Charlie Fraser. For some, just a name, just a boy. For some, not even a remarkable boy. Call it devotion. It was as good a word as any. Why Charlie?Why not Dan or Mac or dear old Sparrow? Herbert only knew it to be so - for Charlie Fraser, despite his odd detachment, had presence. Presence. And whatever presence was, it ensured absolute devotion ... The year is 1913, the place a boys' school in colonial South Africa. For every boy, the heart of the school is his own House, his Housemaster and his particular Hero. And, for every newboy coming through the hallowed doors, there are two commandments. The first: Silence and Denial. The second: Not to fail at Footer. Validation lies in honouring these. At whatever cost.
About the author
Marguerite Poland is the author of the novels Train to Doringbult (shortlisted for the CNA Award), Shades (shortlisted for the M-Net Award), Iron Love, Recessional for Grace, and, most recently, The Keeper (winner of a Nielsen Booksellers Choice Award). Her non-fiction work includes the highly acclaimed The Abundant Herds: a Celebration of the Nguni Cattle of the Zulu People, based on her doctoral thesis in Zulu literature, and the memoir Taken Captive by Birds. Poland has been honoured with two Sir Percy Fitzpatrick Awards for children’s literature, an Ingwazi Award, and a sala Lifetime Achievement Award; in 2016 she was awarded the National Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) by the South African President for her contribution to African languages.
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