Crossing the Line: A Year in the Land of Apartheid by william finnegan

8 reviews All reviews

SeaLiquid

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Finnegan's writing appears to be effortless.

His remarkable ability to make journalism seem objective and nearly conversational is truly impressive.

He has led a nomadic life, yet it is propelled by a profound curiosity rather than self-importance.

He reflects on his time in South Africa during the 70s without any pretense.

South Africa has an incredibly complex history that I know very little about, and this book merely scratches the surface of the realities of daily life during apartheid.

His observations are self-aware, and he gives a distinct voice to everyone he encounters.

Finnegan's work not only provides valuable insights into a particular time and place but also showcases his talent for engaging storytelling and his commitment to presenting a balanced and honest view of the world.

It is a testament to his skills as a journalist and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Overall, his writing is a pleasure to read and offers a unique perspective on a topic that is often overlooked or misunderstood.

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GyakutenSaiban

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I remember reading this through Christmas Day.

It was my first real look at South Africa and the apartheid dilemma/travesty.

William Finnegan has a remarkable ability to get inside Cape Town and its ghettos.

He does so with a unique blend of humor and poignancy.

His writing brings to life the complex and often painful reality of a society divided by race.

As I turned the pages, I was both entertained and deeply moved by his descriptions.

The humor served as a light in the darkness, allowing me to see the humanity within the struggle.

And the poignancy tugged at my heartstrings, making me acutely aware of the injustice that prevailed.

This book was not just a read; it was an eye-opening experience that left a lasting impression on me.

It made me question the world we live in and the importance of fighting for equality and justice.

Even now, years later, I still think about those pages and the lessons I learned.

It is a testament to the power of great literature to change our perspectives and inspire us to make a difference.

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Dzonatan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Good.

It really made me stop and think deeply about what I'm actually doing with my life.

I found myself reflecting on all the choices I've made so far and wondering if they are truly leading me in the direction I want to go.

Am I spending my time on things that matter? Am I pursuing my passions and fulfilling my purpose?

These questions swirled in my mind, making me realize that sometimes we get so caught up in the daily grind that we forget to step back and assess our lives.

Maybe it's time for me to make some changes, to reevaluate my priorities and start living a more intentional life.

I don't want to look back one day and regret not having done the things that truly mattered to me.

So, this simple word "Good" has actually sparked a whole new level of self-awareness and a desire for positive change in my life.

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mr__wizard

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Finnegan was embarking on his grand tour in the late 1970s. However, he soon found himself running out of money. As a result, he decided to stop in Cape Town to look for work. Eventually, he managed to secure a job teaching in the Cape Flats, which was a coloured area.

Just like the book "They can not Kill us all" by Richard Manning, Finnegan's account is based on his personal observations. But as a teacher, he has a distinct perspective compared to Richard Manning. William was in Cape Town in 1980, a few years earlier than Manning.

From Finnegan's description, one can clearly see the increasing tension that existed between 1980 and 1986. The social and political situation in the Cape Flats was complex and volatile during that period, and Finnegan's experiences as a teacher provide a unique insight into the lives and struggles of the people living there. His observations offer a valuable contribution to our understanding of this important era in South African history.

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RoyalYaoiBlog

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Finnegan is actually just on a world tour and lands in South Africa, which was then still in the midst of apartheid. Since he lacks the necessary small change and teachers are always in short supply, he promptly hires himself out as a teacher at a high school for "Coloureds", that is, for those students who are on the strict apartheid scale between blacks and whites. There is almost a lack of everything, the curricula are hopelessly substandard and moreover, Finnegan initially has no valid residence and work permit at all. But still, he throws himself quite idealistically into his new task.

He witnesses the everyday harassment that all non-whites in South Africa were then exposed to and also notices the increasing politicization and radicalization of his students, which then culminated in a far-reaching boycott against the regime during the school year. He describes all this vividly with very keen powers of observation, and the reading is very exciting - especially, of course (but not only), if one can at least roughly imagine everything in one's mind's eye. Some of the peculiarities and behaviors have obviously survived over these more than 20 years, because I was indeed familiar with one or two things.

Names, etc. were apparently changed for security reasons, and of course it is basically possible that the whole thing took place at another school in Cape Town or somewhere else in the country - it is an incredibly interesting story from a rather absurd country that can be exemplary for the early 1980s.

I found the personal development that Finnegan also describes quite self-critically very exciting. He initially approaches the matter a bit like the good white man: although with great interest in the South Africans, but still with a certain conviction that as an American he can give a better lesson and can really teach his students something. One can feel how this idealism fades during the school year, but that Finnegan still feels great respect and a great sense of belonging to this special part of South Africa. Ultimately, however, it is always clear that as a white person, and moreover as a foreigner, he can never really know what it is like to live as a "Coloured" during apartheid - all the everyday harassment never really affects him, and at the end of the day he drives back to his white, alternative student quarter. That's what he means by "Crossing the Line" - there is always a line there that he crosses every day and that represents a real boundary for his students and colleagues from Grassy Park.

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lakra

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

William Finnegan is truly a remarkable writer.每当我阅读他的作品时，都会在我心中引发一丝焦虑——当然，这焦虑中还夹杂着愉悦。因为我深知自己永远无法像他那样写出如此精彩的作品。这种焦虑，我相信许多有抱负的作家都曾遭遇过。

我还进一步发现，我也无法像他那样教得好。相比之下，当我在国外尝试教学时，我没有他对学生那样的热情和奉献精神。我想我想说的是，威廉·芬尼根的故事让我对自己感到沮丧——觉得自己不够好。

然而，说句心里话，我认为比尔·芬尼根的故事非常精彩。如果你想从一个基础且易于理解的层面了解种族隔离，那么就去读这本书吧。书中的事件围绕着1980年的开普敦展开，但我在2021年才读到它，而且它丝毫没有过时。这是一个很长的故事，但结局却很精彩，所以请继续读下去吧。

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Azolaan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This book is, to some extent, out of date.

Taking into account the events of the past years, for example, apartheid as a system in South Africa has been discontinued, which is a most welcome development!!

Nevertheless, Finnegan's treatment of the boycotts and revolutionary figures is an outstanding study in South African political history and the movements that led to the end of apartheid.

It provides valuable insights into the struggles, sacrifices, and determination of those who fought against the unjust apartheid regime.

Despite its age, the book still holds significance in understanding the complex and tumultuous history of South Africa and the forces that shaped its path towards freedom and equality.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of learning from the past and working towards a more just and inclusive future.

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sankyu39

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I couldn't believe how little I knew about South African history. It was truly astonishing. This experience provided me with an incredibly insightful glimpse into the complications that come with teaching in this region.

The tragedies of colonialism have left a profound mark on South Africa, and it was eye-opening to learn about the long-lasting effects.

Despite the hardships, there is also an undeniable beauty in this part of the world. The diverse cultures, landscapes, and people all contribute to its unique charm.

I am now more determined than ever to learn more about South African history and to understand the complex issues that have shaped this nation.

This newfound knowledge will not only enhance my understanding of the world but also make me a more informed and empathetic educator.

I look forward to further exploring the rich history and culture of South Africa and sharing my discoveries with others.

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Crossing the Line: A Year in the Land of Apartheid

william finnegan philip gourevitch

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