After reading this book, I found myself with so many superlatives to describe what I had just read. Scandalous, saucy and page-turner were the best three to describe Kuli Roberts’ debut novel titled Siren. In Siren, Kuli, a veteran entertainment journalist with a career spanning over two decades, brings to light the good and evil of South Africa’s entertainment industry.
Through a powerful leading character Zinhle ‘ Siren’ Sedibe, Kuli narrates a story of a young black lady who goes through all the ups and downs that many young aspirant actresses normally go through in the industry. Sexual favours from big television producers/directors, exploitation from casting agents, and manipulation are all part of the game. However, while fully aware of all that, Siren is determined to make a better life for herself and that means doing whatever it takes.
While not wanting to give away too much, this is the kind of novel that will inspire, motivate and educate readers, as Siren goes from zero to hero. Siren’s storyline is one that will resonate well with many who are in the entertainment industry and will serve as a lesson for those looking to venture into the industry even though she had to learn the hard way throughout her journey.
Perusing through the pages, one cannot help but appreciate Kuli’s descriptive style of writing, especially when she details every sexual scene Siren shares with the men she beds. This is the kind of writing that will easily grab a reader’s attention from chapter one to the last one, as I was a victim. Kuli cleverly divided the chapters in an autobiographical style of writing, that is, from Siren’s birth and until adult life. The chapters also build onto each other and are short, which helps in capturing the reader’s attention throughout.
This is the type of novel which forever keeps the reader’s suspense in check because in every chapter there’s an explosive revelation in Siren’s colourful life journey. The only disappoint I picked up was Kuli’s failure to go in-depth about Siren’s relationship with her albino daughter. After she found out that her daughter had oculocutaneous albinism, Siren did not know how to react or even accept Thando.
As an activist against the killing of albinos, Kuli should’ve at least dedicated a chapter to educate young mothers who go through the same predicament. Overall this is a must-read and I hope one day this book can be turned into a movie or even drama series. Given Kuli’s many years in the entertainment industry, your guess is good as mine about who might have inspired the character Siren in South Africa’s entertainment industry.