Grim. Implausible. Maudlin. Melodramatic, and so badly written. Recommended for the recycle bin only. ( )

The year the gypsies came was a verry intellegent read. For me it pulled me in and I was not able to put it down it's a story about a girl who lives in johannasberg with her family who are white but they let black people in there lives and one day they have some visitors that stay for a long time at their house but they are a verry interesting group of people! ( )

This is a story of Emily,a twelve year old girl in South Africa. Her family is disconnected and her parents fight a lot. Her only comfort is Buza, the ancient Zulu watchman that tells her the tales of his people. Emily's life suddenly changes when her father invites the family of a wildlife photographer to come an live with them till they can find a place to stay. This is a very sad book, with also a good history of racism in South Africa. ( )

Set in apartheid South Africa, The Year the Gypsies Came centers around a 12-year old girl, Emily, whose family is splitting at the seams. Her parents often encourage house guests to stay, including the those of the title - not really gypsies, but a wandering wildlife photographer and his family. Sprinkled through the book are stories told to Emily by the family night watchman - some traditional Zulu, others more historical.

I don't know why I do this, but: elements of Of Mice and Men and the movie Ice Storm put in Jo'burg during apartheid. Beautifully written. ( )

Twelve year old Emily craves affection from her constantly quarreling parents. She is tomboy with few friends, only her kind older sister and their Zulu servant, Buza who tells her stories of wisdom and magic. When a mysterious family of wanderers comes to stay, Emily finds a kindred soul in one of the houseguests as she learns of the pain and struggles of those all around her in apartheid South Africa. ( )