South African Releases THE ZEBRA AFFAIRE
By: Christina Mancuso Jul. 27, 2015
In Mark Fine's new novel, "The Zebra Affaire: An Apartheid Love Story," readers are introduced to an interracial couple's terrifying experiences in 1970's South Africa. For Elsa, her affair with Stanwell may prove lethal; she's white and he's black, and they dared to fall in love. Defying the 'Sexual Offences Act of 1957,' a criminal felony, the lovers are hunted by the security police from Johannesburg to the wilds of the African bushveld.
Through Fine's unrelenting narrative - the guilt, cruelty, subterfuge, and hypocrisy in all layers of apartheid society are exposed in a way only possible by a native born South African. All sides across the color divide are represented in this audacious love story. The novel stresses white privilege and black deprivations, as well as the perils of colonialism and tribalism. When asked why he wrote this book now, Fine responded, "I'm taken by the apparent common ground Southerners from the United States have shared with South Africans; some say it's only the Southern accent that's different. In this regard 'The Zebra Affaire' is both thoughtful and relevant, and is a warning about forces that divide humanity to this very day." Fine's book is praised for its authenticity by former ANC freedom fighter and Senior Diplomat in Nelson Mandela's administration. "The story of Stanwell and Elsa really touched me. Racial discrimination was so dehumanizing," wrote Ambassador Thandi Lujabe-Rankoe on the cover. "This book took me to the days of the liberation struggle, and I experienced the hurt as I read. It was a real privilege to the read the history, a period of pain and hope, as seen through Mark Fine's eyes."Mark Fine was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since 2006 he has lived in Palos Verdes, California. For a decade Fine headed an award-winning record label that united non-profits with world-class music talent to create benefit albums in aid of breast cancer and wildlife conservation. For these philanthropic initiatives he received several awards from both the music and oncology communities. Mark was voted by Variety magazine as the "Music Executive with 20/20 Vision" and is shortlisted for Dublin, Ireland's BGS Best Book 2015 Award. You can visit him at markfinebooks.com and on Twitter @MarkFine_author. Review Copies and Media Interviews:
For a review copy of "The Zebra Affaire: An Apartheid Love Story," or an interview with author Mark Fine, please contact Erin Marshall by email pr@finebooks.co or phone (424) 262-0608.
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