Rating: 
Summary: A bit hyperbolized, but a heroic story
Review: In "stark prose" (Amazon.com) Mark Mathabane describes his life growing up in a nonwhite ghetto outside Johannesburg, South Africa. He discusses the conditions apartheid foisted on his race, and how he escaped its horrors, eventually winning a tennis scholarship to an American university (which one Mathabane doesn't impart).Mathabane reveals the tragic world of the impoverished blacks who make up most of his country in a way that only someone who has lived such a life can. Although Mathabane was young, he recalls his life vividly, describing with brio his chronic, persistent adversities. His autobiography is inspirational, because throughout, he did not surrender his dreams, his yearning to become, like Arthur Asche, an American tennis star.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: Rarely do I find a book so engaging I can't put it down, but Kaffir Boy kept me interested from the first page. I really appreciated the candid descriptions of life growing up in South Africa. The solid descriptions Mathabane utilizes in this book to dramatize events that happened to him and his family serve to give the reader a good nderstanding as to the horrific nature of life in the urban ghettoes of South Africa. The graphic scenes illustrating sexual and physical abuses which took place in South Africa, rather than being gratuitous and unnecessary, were, in fact, required to get his message across. I highly recommended this one.
Rating:
Summary: Suprisingly Good Book
Review: When this book was first passed out in my language arts class, I was expecting another boring BLAH classic-type book. I started reading and I couldn't put it down. Mark (Johannas) Mathabane describes his life in apartheid South Africa so well that you feel his pain. I had no idea what apartheid was or how bad South Africa was until I read this book. It is not your usual autobiography, either. Its more like a story. Flows really well and doesn't let you put it down.
Rating:
Summary: hard-hitting tale of sorrow and hope
Review: Not much of an introduction needed here: the full title of the book accurately sums up the subject. This was a book that I bought in used paperback not certain whether I'd finish it, and found myself deeply engrossed in the story and in reflection upon Mathabane's descriptions of life under apartheid. Mathabane shows a great many literary strengths here. His candid expression of his own feelings can't help but inspire the reader's respect and interest; the whole book feels 'spoken from the heart'. His prejudices, embarrassing moments, times of despair, moments of triumph, and peer relations are all here. Of particular interest to me (naturally, as a white non-South African) was the development of his views of white people--South Africans and foreigners--and how his understanding becomes broader as he meets a wider variety of people. I came away thinking that I'd probably really like Mark Mathabane in person. His youth in fact makes a good story, one that builds nicely to a conclusion I won't spoil for you except to carefully mention that this is the story only of his youth, not of his whole life. And his descriptive talent, which painted such vivid and contrasting portraits of the life he led, is worthy of the great storytellers of the proud tribes of southern Africa from which he is descended. I would offer the caveat that the book contains explicit sexual and violent scenes that most people would consider inappropriate for children under 14 (and even then I'm assuming a pretty well-adjusted child). Mathabane is never himself vulgar, but some of his experiences certainly were, and he gets through them as quickly as possible but I see why he didn't omit them. If you ever wondered what life was like for South African blacks under apartheid, particularly for a highly gifted member of that group striving upward against every barrier that several cultures could place before him, this'll be a revelation.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have read
Review: I am an avid reader and after seeing a Tv show on Mark Mathabane, I decided to read Kaffir Boy. It was amazing. The book was soo well written, that I could almost see what he was describing. THis book touched my life like no other book has before. THank you Mr. Mathabane for sharing your life with us!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing
Review: At first glance i thought "The Kaffir Boy" would end up as another dull summer read. And since i felt forced into reading it already-Its part of my required reading list for my english class- i was an unenthusiastic reader,at first. I read half the book in one night! It painted a realistic potrait of hardships i have never endured. I felt rage at the inhumane treatment thrown upon the poor black people living there,and at the bitter irony of it all. They were the original inhabinants. This book,The Kaffir Boy,is a riviting piece, worthy of the price.
Rating:
Summary: REQUEST: Kaffir Boy
Review: My apologies, as this is not a review. I met a South African in the plane from London to Oslo. He told me about the book. I happen to have read about Mark Matabane in the Mail and Guardian; but never bothered to check his works out, as I promised myself to. After watching a CNN programme on 20000623, I felt that I have done myself a disservice by not following up on the matter. Would you be kind enough to provide me with Mark's website address. I work for the South African Embassy in Oslo. I have been thinking of hosting a South African Book Fair...maybe I can include Mark, depending on his availablity and logistics. The plans are still at an infancy stage at the moment. Your assistance will be appreciated. My apologies again. Thivhilaeli Eric wa ha MAKATU 23 A Hoffsjef Lovenskiolds Vei Oslo, Norway
Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: I could not read this book straight through. The poverty and mistreatment of Mark and his fellow countrymen and women in their own land was disgusting and affected me emotionally. The author painted a glaring picture of his life and I do not know where he found the strength not to start the revolution himself. Through him I got an excellent sense of what slavery must have been like for African Americans here in the United States.
Rating:
Summary: Kaffir Boy
Review: Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane, is the story of Johannas and his very interesting and inspiring childhood. It is hard to imagine that the events taking place in the book are true. The book is about Johannas, a black-African in South Africa. His life is faced with many challenges, most of which he overcame. Johannas' biggest problem and fear was the racism existing in South Africa. Much of the story is about his relations with white people and his education. In the ghetto of Alexandria, where he grew up, education was very expensive and the schools did not have all the staff and supplies that were needed. Johannas began playing tennis at a young age and persisted and protested about playing with whites. He was also under a lot of pressure from people, and did not get along well with his father. His parents and other black people in the ghetto also faced frequent raids by police with the objective of catching people with passes that are out-of-order. Neither of his parents had their passes in order, or legal papers to live where they did. His family was also poor and often borrowed money for food or searched in dumpsters. However, Johannas always kept up with his education and eventually it, along with tennis, brought him to America, the dream of almost any black South African.
Rating:
Summary: Good Reading
Review: good book. Very revealing and expert writing.
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