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Synopsis
In politically turbulent Southern Africa of the 1970's, the winds of change are fanning the flames of revolutionary aspirations and ethnic inequality.Andrew Mason, a confident and ambitious young South African banking executive, is seemingly unphased by politics and the undercurrent of racial animosity. Scholar Cum Laude, good looking, gifted sportsman and the son of an affluent family, his swift rise up the corporate ladder seems inevitable. Until, as if having conspired with destiny,two unrelated events intersect to change the course of his future, and his well balanced life is suddenly and brutally transformedAndy is falsely accused of a breach of confidence and unethical conduct within his working environment and is simultaneously called upon by a distraught girl friend needing to reach her parents in her homeland of war torn Rhodesia.Mason agrees to help, but is wholly unprepared for the tragedy that follows and he is left bewildered and traumatized in a country ripped apart by the affects of political intransigence and civil war.His corporate ambitions in disarray and his emotions in a state of confusion, Andrew enrols in the Rhodesian military where he evolves to become a hardened and ruthless combatant with the elite SAS.By force of circumstance, through the horrors and tragedies of war, Andy finds himself living two separate lives; one amid the acrid smell of burnt cordite, danger, brutality, sudden death and survival alongside his comrades in "The Squadron" and the other in the overpoweringly intoxicating arms of Alyson Carstens, the spoilt and protected daughter of wealthy parents.Returning wounded from an ill-fated mission, Andy learns that Alyson is pregnant and they decide to marry. However, on their wedding night, a devastating incident has a dramatic impact on their union, which ultimately exposes an underlying secret liaison of deceit and betrayal with far reaching and catastrophic consequences.The tragedy of the times is symbolized in Andy's prosperity, his courage in the face of adversity and the progressive downward spiral as everything he fought for and believes in gradually crumbles.As one heartbreak follows another, Andrew's emotional strength is sapped and his decline into alcoholism and despair leaves him vulnerable and reckless."A captivating story by a talented author". (Saturday Star)"The pace will leave you breathless. A full on 5 star read." (Bookplex)"A memorable debut that will linger beyond the page. Clouds In The Wind will prove a spellbinding read and is strongly recommended." (Writer's Digest)
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From the Author
22nd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards
Entry Title Clouds In The Wind
Author: Ian Mackenzie
Judge Number: 61
Entry Category: Mainstream/Literary Fiction
Books are evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning "needs improvement" and 5 meaning "outstanding". This scale is strictly to provide a point of reference, it is not a cumulative score and does not reflect ranking.
Structure, Organization, and Pacing: 4/5
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar: 4/5
Production Quality and Cover Design: 4/5
Plot and Story Appeal: 5/5
Character Appeal and Development: 4/5
Voice and Writing Style: 4/5
Judge's Commentary*:
CLOUDS IN THE WIND; by Ian Mackenzie.
The book's title, Clouds in the Wind, is an expression that means futility, and nothing is more futile than war. In the 1970s in Southern Africa, successful business man Andrew Mason is drawn into the Rhodesian bush wars. With great narrative energy and a keen visual sense of detail, Ian Mackenzie guides us into the fray. He describes skirmishes with blood-curdling accuracy where the Rhodesian side wins every battle, but as we all know, they eventually lost the war. White supremacy is defeated.
The characterization in this book is excellent. The protagonist, Andrew Mason, is a respected and decorated soldier, but his personal life is a shambles, mostly due to the war. After his relationship with Merryl and her daughter is ended through an attack on their convoy, he goes through a series of wanton relationships until he meets Alyson Carstens.
The fragility of life is brought home to him, and to us, as one by one people he is close to and cares about deeply are lost to him
This story has a number of plot twists and exceptional drama that makes it a compelling read.
In the end we are left with the question: What will become of Andrew Mason, a soldier without a war?
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested is a good solid read with compelling characters and an excellent plot. It finishes with an ending that suggests a sequel, which would be welcome.
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About the Author
Ian Mackenzie was born in 1949, in the Eastern Cap Province of South Africa. He was educated at Queen's College in Queenstown and at Parktown Boys High in Johannesburg. He served with the Rhodesian military dring the bush war from 1975 to 1980. He is married with two sons in their 30s and lives in Johannesburg with his wife Rose.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherMichael Kastre Publishing, LLC
- Publication date2015
- ISBN 10 0996472606
- ISBN 13 9780996472609
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number2
- Number of pages412
- Rating
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