Hailing from Rehoboth, writer Clarice Gille-Theys has unique sense of storytelling in her native language of Afrikaans that breaks barriers and limitations within Namibia.
Theys made her authorial debut in 2015 with ‘Rehoboth – Waar My Hart Is’, while in 2018 the writer released ‘Basterpoeding Vir Die Siel’, an anthology with contributions from a group of writers from Rehoboth.
With her first two releases, the veteran writer has proved that she is a force to be reckoned with as both her books won ATKV Pluimpie awards in 2017 and 2018.
Media pundit Johnathan Beukes held the author’s first novel in high regards. “Clarice Gille-Theys is an excellent story-teller. Her book, ‘Rehoboth – Waar My Hart Is’, is a nostalgic reflection of her journey from childhood to adulthood and also a brutally honest chronicle about her life as one of 10 children in a place as interesting as Rehoboth with its unique politics, religious quirks and unsual social life.”
Book Buddy Online Bookshop, owned by Anya Links, gave the novel similar praise. “This beautiful book is a look back at her experiences as a child and young lady in the Namibian town, Rehoboth,” the website said, applauding Gille-Theys’ ability to weave in comedic relief through the dramatics.
Her third book, the recently released ‘Eendag Op ‘n Stormdag’, is more serious and follows the trend of firing up various emotions within the reader as the author paints vivid pictures and tells stories beautifully.
A fiction novel, this time round, Gille-Theys introduces the audience to six short stories, all with different characters and narratives, and each with their own lessons.
The anthology starts off with ‘Die Pad Van Haar Hart’ which shines light on Jasmine Taljaard, a renowned artist who, after going through emotional ups and downs as well as disappointments and lessons in love, has some soul searching to do in order to find a deeper sense self-worth and what inner happiness means.
This topic is a relatable one to many across the country as sometimes, everyone, despite seeming to have it all, sometimes loses joy in everyday life as something is just missing.
‘Die Maskerbal’, ‘Een Dag op ‘n Stormdag’, ‘Jy Behoort Aan My’, ‘Die Pad Huis Toe’ and ‘Die Swart Hings se Traan’ take the reader on contrasting journeys of love, with touching tales that connect the reader deeply with each character. Gille-Theys has an astounding talent for keeping the reader hooked on every word.
‘Een Dag Op ‘n Stormdag’ follows the story of Danielle Gilbert, following a three-week vacation to Turkey after being widowed, who gets stuck at an airport on her way back to Windhoek. The eerie events that follow lead her onto an unexpected discovery.
“Although all these stories are fictional, these places do exist in reality and on that note I want to say thank to all my links on the internet – specifically the Fish River Valley, the Anib Lodge in the south and the Ataturk airport in Turkey,” Gille-Theys wrote in appreciation to her inspirations.
Gille-Theys’ third release is a refreshing read with various untold stories that have a deeper impact on the reader. For more information on the book, contact claricetheys@gmail.com.
– @jonathan_sasha on Twitter; @jonathan.sasha on Instagram
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