This Book Betrays My Brother

Gr 9 Up—Naledi begins narrating this novel set in South Africa with an explanation of her brother's place within the family. Basimane is the dream her mother fought for desperately and his father's pride and joy. In addition to being Naledi's brother, Basi is also her best friend and most trusted ally. She looks to him for protection and advice. Basi is a staunch supporter of his best friend Kgosi's mother, Nono, who is in prison for killing Kgosi's father. He speaks with Naledi about Kgosi's father's bad behavior and how Nono suffered. Naledi is therefore shocked when she witnesses her brother raping his girlfriend, Moipone. His actions and the community's response to the rape allegations confuse her. Naledi is torn between being loyal to a brother she loves and exposing a truth she knows. This is a complex look at rape culture. It is a commentary on the social constructs of gender, race, and class, and their ability to determine a person's veracity. A woman in Naledi's culture is easily discredited by her position within the community, her age, and her education. The author examines the many systemic forces involved in maintaining a society that protects its chosen sons as it vilifies its daughters who choose to speak up.