Hum If You Don't Know the Words Summary
Marais, Bianca

Hum If You Don't Know the Words Overview

Hum if You Don’t Know the Words is a novel by Bianca Marais narrated by the two main characters: Robin, a nine-year-old white girl, and Beauty, a middle-aged Xhosa woman. The events of the novel take place in South Africa during apartheid, and after the death of Robin’s parents and the disappearance of Beauty’s daughter, Nomsa, the pair are brought together and form a close relationship. In the volatile climate of apartheid, the pair navigate through life cautiously, trying to rectify mistakes and maintain their relationship without aggravating the oppressive regime. Hum if You Don’t Know the Words explores themes such as death, redemption, discrimination, and love.