This book is the story of Frieda (a Jewish girl) and Min (a white girl), two friends coming of age in South Africa under Apartheid. The novel's social interest lies mainly in its depiction of Apartheid from two non-native perspectives: Frieda and her family are not overtly racist, but they acquiesce to the system ("It's just the way things are"); Min, on the other hand, devotes her life to fighting for racial justice. The personal growth that Frieda undergoes as a result of meeting Min is superbly developed by Pamela Jooste. The novel is well-written throughout, but switches between Frieda's and Min's perspectives and frequent movements forward and backward through time can be a little confusing. Overall, however, this book is worth the time to read.

Frieda and Min, above all, is a story of friendship--a friendship between two adolescent girls which begins under unusual and difficult circumstances, but develops over time and circumstances into an unbreakable bond. Because Min's mother has a history of friendship with Frieda's mom, she imposes on that friendship when she literally dumps her daughter off at Frieda's home "for the summer." Min's father, the bush doctor, has recently been killed, Min's mother has remarried, and now she has a lot of traveling and living to get caught up on.

The novel is set in South Africa over a period of twenty-three years (1964-1987), a particularly difficult period for that country under Apartheid. Min and Frieda are very different people. Min is a risk taker, fiery, and speaks her mind without hesitation. Frieda, who very much has her opinion of things as well, is more careful as she prefers to approach things circuitously. Each character grows on the reader as the book alternates their voices. The novel manages to take the very serious subject of Apartheid, told at times with bloody anguish through Min and balance that gravity with a Jewish sense of humor as related through Frieda. It works well.

Interesting to note is that the male characters, Min's father and brother as well as Frieda's father and brother, along with other male characters such as Reuben, either die from natural causes or are killed. The women, with the exception of Min's mother perhaps, all seem to gain strength, determination, and purpose as the novel progresses. The focus, though, remains on Frieda and Min as their lives become intertwined with one another like roots of two old trees.

This is a great read. It will move you in wonderful ways.