Gazelle tells the story of a young boy growing up in apartheid South Africa, and his longing to grow into a man. Part 1 tells of his road trip with his father to visit an old friend who farms in the Karoo. David befriends another boy his age who is the son of a farm labourer. The differences in lifestyle between young David and Abraham, his new found Coloured friend, are completely transparent to them both as they live separate lives, but spend their days playing together and cementing their friendship. They are growing up in, what is to them both, a ‘normal’ society. Part 2 introduces us to David as he grows into a young man, full of youthful confidence as he explores his own sexuality. He discards girls of his own age and chooses a woman somewhat older than himself. He is forced to deal with his own sexuality, his own values vs his desires and then he has to deal with the consequences of his decision. Finally, Part 3 takes us on a journey into South African military life as David has to face the consequences of his choice to escape from the pain of a failed relationship, to what army life offers him with its comfortable drudgery and routine. But he has leaped from the pan into the fire. He is faced with the reality of being a white South African, and being conscripted into military service, not believing in the apartheid dream, but still playing a part as a cog in the vast military machine which supports the apartheid policy. Just like back on the Karoo farm as a young boy, he befriends a fellow soldier who has been through a hurtful past. Izaak, the disillusioned ex-communist, now fighting because that is all he has left that gives his life meaning. Gazelle ends with a final confrontation with African politics and conflict, death, disappointment and, finally, some hope of redemption.

Erotica, Action, Drama, Memoir, War

Gazelle tells the story of a boy growing up in apartheid South Africa. It starts when he goes on a road trip with his father, later we meet his first love, a woman older than himself, and finally, we join him in the military where he has to face the reality of African politics, and death.

South Africa (Cape Town, Karoo, Knysna), Angola, Namibia

No

Internal Journey/Rebirth

Coming of Age, Twist, Philosophical Questions

Nudity, Extreme Violence, Sexual Abuse

Name: David

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Role: Emotional

Key Traits: Strong Moral Code, Confident, Engaging, Honorable, Leader, Heroic, Skillful, Selfless, Adventurous, Complex, Masculine, Romantic, Sexy

Name: Vee

Age: 28

Gender: Female

Role: Tempter

Key Traits: Complex, Decisive, Seductive, Beautiful, Secretive, Sophisticated, Narcissistic, Sexy, Engaging, Lone Wolf, Manipulative, Adventurous, Confident, Unapologetic

Name: Izaak

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Role: Mentor

Key Traits: Strong Moral Code, Complex, Confident, Charming, Crazy, Aggressive, Badass, Adventurous, Heroic, Honorable, Leader, Skillful, Decisive, Engaging

Name: Abrie

Age: 8

Gender: Male

Role: Sidekick

Key Traits: Adventurous, Funny, Underdog, Uneducated, Engaging, Faithful, Heroic, Masculine, Honorable

Age: 35-54

Target Gender: Universal

Information not completed

Status: Yes: self-published

Year Published: 2018

No

Information not completed