The Other Side of Truth

Publisher and industry reviews

UK Kirkus review

Beverly Naidoo has earned a major reputation for chronicling the lives of young people in her native South Africa with powerful works such as Journey to Jo'burg and Chain of Fire. This novel is set initially in another troubled African country, Nigeria, at a time when it was immensely dangerous to speak the truth about the then military regime and its leader General Abacha. It is a vivid account of a family's trauma and subsequent exile in London, seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Sade and her younger brother Femi. When their mother is murdered by the authorities, the children's father, outspoken journalist and opponent of the regime Folarin Solaja, decides that the family must flee to London. The children will go first while he will try to follow. Once in London, the children are alone and frightened. Too scared to reveal their true identity for fear it could cause problems for their father still in Nigeria, the children are placed in the hands of social services and are soon living with a foster family. But what of their father? The children have an agonising wait, but their courage and determination, particularly that of Sade, who constantly draws strength from the memory of her dead mother, brings about an emotional reunion. This is a remarkably powerful novel, highlighting issues of oppression, murder, freedom of speech and the plight of refugees in an enormously readable manner. As the broadcaster, Jon Snow, says in the foreword: 'Not only a marvellous read but one that refuels the desire for justice and freedom within and beyond our shores'. (Kirkus UK)

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