Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams

Originally published in South Africa, this 2009 novel is gripping, suspenseful and deeply compassionate. Drugs offer an escape from the brutalities of violent crime and hatred, but there’s another option: street soccer and a chance to compete in its international world cup. Deo struggles to protect Innocent from a rising tide of xenophobia in which the newcomers are demonized by desperately poor South Africans who see them as a threat.

Leaving the farm only brings new dangers. South Africa is no safe haven for the refugees, however local residents resent them.

After a terrifying crossing of the Limpopo River and run through a lion-infested game preserve, they’re rescued by a farmer and given paid work, food and shelter. When they join others fleeing to safety, Innocent’s unpredictable behavior proves dangerous, yet also saves their lives. Now that Mugabe’s soldiers have destroyed his village and killed most residents, the only family Deo has left is Innocent, the older, mentally disabled brother he’s always looked after. He finds writing fiction to be the perfect antidote to the drama of keeping an opera company alive in Africa.Soccer and his loving family got Deo, 15, through lean times in Zimbabwe. Michael is the author of several books, including the highly praised young adult novel Crocodile Burning. He has written operas for young people based on African mythology as well as the libretti for symphonic operas that have premiered around the world. He began writing 'radio plays' while studying at University of Cape Town and had his first novel published when he was twenty-five years old. Michael Williams is a writer of plays, musicals, operas, and novels and the Managing Director of Cape Town Opera in South Africa. He finds writing fiction to be the perfect antidote to the drama of keeping an opera company alive in Africa.

Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams