2015 INDIE WOMAN
AWARD FINIALIST
FOR HOW THE WATER FALLS
SELF-PUBLISHING REVIEW
FOR HOW THE WATER FALLS
SELF-PUBLISHING REVIEW
"All men, even the most seemingly cold-blooded, have a core of
decency, and if their hearts are touched, they are
capable of changing."
Nelson Mandela
Political Thriller
On the fringes of a civil war arise a kaleidoscope of stories of abuse, power, betrayal, sex, love, and absolution, all united by the failings of a dying government. Set in the backdrop during the last years of South Africa's apartheid, How the Water Falls is a psychological thriller that unfolds the truth and deception of the system’s victims, perpetrators, and unlikely heroes.
The two main characters, one white, Joanne– a reporter, the other black, Lena– a banned activist, have their lives continuously overlap through the people they know during a thirteen-year period and eventually become friends as a result of their interviews together.
Joanne personifies the need to question and investigate apartheid’s corruption from a white person’s perspective. Although her intentions begin with idealism, no matter how naïve, as the years pass while the system is failing, she crosses the threshold of what it means to be caught up inside the belly of the beast, especially after crossing paths with the Borghost brothers.
Lena, who is inspired by her predecessors, such as Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, is among the minority of black women to peacefully battle for equality, even if her struggle is indicative of sacrificing her health and safety.
Hans Borghost is Johannesburg’s commissioner of police who, like all those before, had a military background before pursuing a law enforcement career. Violent, manipulative, and controlling, he incarnates the image of South Africa’s perpetrators.
Jared Borghost is the younger brother of Hans and, like his brother, has a military background, but unlike Hans, he internally combats between his sense of duty and morality. His inconsistency indicates a conscience that leaves one to ponder whether Jared is either a perpetrator, victim, or both. As his surname suggests, Bor-GHOST represents the “ghosts” that haunt the family’s past.
Many other characters play the roles of spies, freedom fighters, lovers, adversaries, and supporters. This novel is as complex as apartheid was itself, unlacing fabrics of each character’s life to merge into a catalyst downfall. The question of who will survive this downfall will suffice in the courts of truth and reconciliation and whether love is strong enough to preserve peace.
REVIEWS
"K. P. Kollenborn’s novel How the Water Falls is a fabulous addition to the vibrant and turbulent history of South Africa." Self-Publishing Review
"How the Water Falls is a sweeping display of triumph over tragedy, no matter how small the victory or arduous the journey." IndieReader
"The reader is compelled by the sheer scope of the mayhem contained herein to ride the wave of madness to its uncertain conclusion. Historical fiction ought always to educate. The message here is a vital warning about the perils of repressive government that has been ignored time and time again throughout human history."
Readers' Favorite Review
“[T]his is such a powerful and moving story that I couldn’t put it down and it’s left a haunting impression on me that will stay with me for quite some time.”
Crystal Crichlow, writer, www.BookExplosions.com
"Highly recommended not only as an exciting thriller, but as a wonderful illustration of this past and present world-wide issue. And, thank you, K. P. Kollenborn for your outstanding effort to spotlight deceptions and lies in a manner needed to constantly strive to affect change."
"This book was super complex and addressed politics, the history of apartheid, ethics, and the brutality of that time. Anyone who likes history or wants to learn more about this time would really enjoy this book."
The Serious Reader
"There are several moments where I literally caught my breath and didn't realize I had until I let it all out when whichever character was on the page was safe again."
The Gal In The Blue Mask Blog
"This is a remarkably well-written book by Ms. Kollenborn. The dialogues with the South African, tribal dialect was amazingly reproduced. I could hear them speaking in their native tongues. The well-researched historical information on South Africa and the Apartheid era is masterfully recreated to show what happened to these flesh and blood individuals."
Lilian Gafni, Author of Flower From Castile Trilogy
"Author K. P. Kollenborn brings us this captivating tale that interweaves fiction and fact for a horrifying look at how South Africa was affected by the apartheid. "
Raymy, GOODREADS
"I like this book because it makes me aware of what's happening in the real word and I would like to think that anybody can make a difference, no matter how small that might be if we care enough and do something about it. I highly recommend it to everybody! Thumbs up!"
Ioan Draniciar, GOODREADS
"I think that it did reflect the hope brought by the end of apartheid, without compromising the reality of trying to rebuild a country that endured through such internal strife." Elizabeth Ehlen,GOODREADS
"The writer holds nothing back, and at no point does she try to tone down any of the atrocities. This is a brutally honest book, that leaves the reader absolutely riveted from the first page to the last." Ranger, AMAZON
"How the Water Falls is a very unique book. I can say truthfully that I haven't read one like this in a long time…. I am usually able to figure out the ending of a thriller, but not this time. It even left me thinking about it after I finished it.” Peter Mckinsey, AMAZON
“How the Water Falls is a complex and multicultural thriller full of mystery and nuance. This novel is certainly political and ethically explorative, but it doesn't suffer from its big concepts making it too lofty and inaccessible - inarguably, How the Water Falls is about people. Highly recommended.” Chloe Halston, AMAZON