Barrie Hough Skilpoppe English Summaryrar
Matt Dreher
Barrie Hough Skilpoppe English Summaryrar
Skilpoppe is a South African novel by the late Barrie Hough, published in 1998. It is a story of family tragedy, teenage angst, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a school production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The novel has won several awards, including the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature and the M.E.R. Prize. It has also been adapted into a feature film by Penguin Films in 2004.
The novel follows Anna Meyer, a seventeen-year-old girl who is cast as Juliet in her school play. She lives with her older sister Elise and their mother in a suburban house in Johannesburg. Their father is absent, having left them for another woman. Their brother Sebast died by suicide two years ago, after being rejected by their father for being gay. Anna and Elise struggle to cope with their grief and anger, while their mother tries to move on with her life.
Anna finds solace in her role as Juliet, and develops a crush on her co-star Riaan, who plays Romeo. She also befriends Juliet Capulet, a mysterious girl who claims to be the real Juliet from Shakespeare's play. Juliet helps Anna to overcome her fears and insecurities, and encourages her to pursue her dreams. However, Anna soon realizes that Juliet is not what she seems, and that she has a dark secret that could endanger them both.
Skilpoppe is a novel that explores the themes of love, loss, identity, and belonging. It portrays the challenges and joys of growing up in a complex and changing society. It also pays homage to Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, and shows how his words can inspire and transform lives.
References:
- : Barrie Hough - Wikipedia
- : Skilpoppe by Barrie Hough Goodreads
- : Skilpoppe Penguin Films