A Sinless Season

I never got the book I ordered

A merciless, savagely beautiful 'school days' tale whose psychosexual scope belies the fact its (white South African) author was in his teens when it was written. I've adored this novel since I stumbled upon it in the '80s, and grieve that it has fallen into obscurity. Highly recommended (if you can track it down).

In his first novel published in 1982, Mr Galgut tells the tragic tale of three boys of about 16 who are sent to Bleda Reformatory in South Africa, a correctional facility for under-age delinquents, the principal of which is Mr Eugene Hall. There is Joseph Hamilton, a rather plump boy of unsubtle features and of nervous composure. Scott Berry, a shy brown-eyed boy. Raoul Dean, slim and indifferent. Although the three boys were raised in different social backgrounds, they used to spend a great deal of time together. Their deviant behaviour started with small theft, breaking shop windows and resisting their parents' authority. That is why they were convicted by a children's court to stay at Bleda Reformatory until the age of 18. But to Mr Hull's great disappointment it soon transpires that the three boys are unwilling to settle into the quiet and reverential attitude which is expected of the residents at Blenda. A harrowing account of three teenaged boys growing up in violence, resentment and vengeance, their life completely devoid of peace, joy and contentment. Once again, a South African author shows us that life in that part of the world is more a matter of survival than of living. Mr Galgut's achievement can easily be compared to some of his compatriots like André Brink, Nadine Gordimer or J. M. Coetzee.