Review: No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid by Mary Ann Byron, read by Stacy Rock
No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid is a fascinating memoir written beautifully by former US Diplomat Mary Ann Byron. Thanks to this gripping work of nonfiction, we are having first row seats to a watershed moment in the history of the world.
The author recalls her first assignment in the early 90’s as the freshly and happily married wife of a special agent in diplomatic security. Mary and Patrick arrive in Cape Town, South Africa in August 1992 and here our story begins. With civil unrest, the fight for democracy, a tense political climate, racial injustice, riots, segregation, murder and a clear and present danger to the Ambassador’s life, these are just a few incentives for you to definitely listen to this story!
The audio production of No Ordinary Life is performed by actor, musician, and narrator Stacy Rock. Right from the beginning I was completely blown away and pleasantly surprised by her dedication to this project. You can hear in her voice every emotion, smile or concern. She reads with enthusiasm and lets her talent flow freely, delighting and entertaining the listener. I never heard of Stacy before this recording, but I want to hear her again! She was the perfect choice for this audiobook and I think that she enriches the narrative experience and creates a complete level of immersion.
If you want to learn a little history and be entertained at the same time, I highly recommend No Ordinary Life: Awakenings in the Final Days of Apartheid, it’s a thought provoking work that can be even more relevant today with the fight for social justice. After I listened to this captivating audiobook, I can definitely confirm that this author did not have an ordinary life! Pick it up and you will be instantly transported 30 years ago in a world when we, as humans, did not put too much price on our lives… but good people fought to change that and prevailed! This story would make for a fantastic movie!
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Victor Dima
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