With the many campaigns and tv pragrammes aimed at addressing the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS, the media has played a major role in educating us. Sindiwe Magona's book Beauty's Gift tackles not only the stigma that is attached to the virus but also the cultural implications that face the township culture and shows just how many twists and turns the virus can take.
"God knew the African woman was going to have a very, very hard life. That is why He gave her skin as tough as Mother Earth herself. He gave her tough, timeless skin so that her woes would not be written all over her face, so that her face would not be a map to her torn and tattered heart."
Opening the book to this powerful introduction, a climax that carries though out the entire book.
Beauty's gift is an easy read. Written in descriptive language and easy to understand, this book captured my imagination and touched my heart. It is an inspirational story with a strong message. It is thought provoking and makes you take a look at your life and how you live it in a different light.
Set in the Gugulethu township in Cape Town, the story is about the gift Beauty, who dies of AIDS after being infected by her husband wants to leave her friends. The gift of life. She wants her friends to live long and healthy lives and not to die like her.
It is easy to relate to the characters, their struggles and how they lead their lives. The journey that the characters go through is about taking control and living their lives the best way they can. Taking their destinies into their own hands. The book is a short read, its main objective being to get the message across in a clear way that paints the pictures and keeps the reader reading.
Beauty's Gift carries a theme of courage, hope and strength. Beauty leaves her friends wanting to take control of their lives, and making sure that they live long lives filled with purpose. They take charge within their relationships to make sure that they are protected and that they protect their partners by taking HIV tests. This is not an easy task and in their efforts to get the results they want, many secrets are discovered and as the story unfolds the women learn valuable lessons about themselves and what it is they want out of life.
A beautiful yet touching story with a strong message will have you captivated from the powerful opening to the end. A quick, entertaining and educational novel that will have you thinking and taking a deeper look at your life, the people in your life and discovering your strengths through the journey that the five fearless friends take us through. This is a read I would recommend to young women any day!
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