Page 25 - IFV October Issue 2025

Book Reviews

UNLOCkED Summer Island Searching for Novak

BY EBEN ETzEBETH BY KRISTIN HANNAH BY MARK HODGKINSON
Eben Etzebeth is the most- Years ago, Nora Bridge walked out on Winner of the International Sports
capped player in South African her marriage and left her daughters Book of the Year 2025
rugby history. A towering lock, his behind. She has since become a famous No man or woman has won more
intelligence, energy and aggression radio talk-show host and newspaper Grand Slam singles titles than
on the pitch is feared, respected, columnist beloved for her moral advice. Novak Djokovic, who took his 24th
often imitated but never matched. Her youngest daughter, Ruby, is a major at the 2023 US Open. Based
He is the heart and soul of a struggling comedienne who uses her on fresh interviews with people
historically successful Springbok famous mother as fuel for her bitter, close to Djokovic - including his
team and a key part of their cynical humour. friends and mentors, along with
astonishingly successful run, which When the tabloids unearth a his former coaches and his rivals
encompasses two consecutive scandalous secret from Nora’s past, - this is an in-depth exploration
World Cups and a current two- their estrangement suddenly becomes of the psyche of one of the most
year stint at the top of the dramatic. Nora is injured in an accident, fascinating and controversial
world rankings. In this frank and and a glossy magazine offers Ruby a sporting characters ever.
disarming account, Eben uncovers fortune to write a tell-all about her From a bomb shelter in Belgrade
the key factors in his extraordinary mother. Under false pretences, Ruby to an immigration detention centre
success and how he keeps focused, returns home to take care of the woman in Melbourne, and everywhere in
both on and off the pitch. From his she hasn’t spoken to for almost a decade. between, this book uncovers his
humble beginnings in Goodwood, Nora insists they retreat to Summer relentless pursuit of perfection and
a Cape Town suburb where Island, to the lovely old house on the the unconventional beliefs that
nothing came easy, through his water where Ruby grew up, a place have propelled him to greatness.
early club career and on to his filled with childhood memories of love Rage. Forgiveness. Shame. Pride.
hard-won place within the South and joy and belonging. There Ruby is Love. Searching for Novak examines
African squad, UNLOCKED reveals also reunited with her first love and his the psychological and emotional
the personal side of an astonishing brother. Once, the three of them had side of rewriting tennis history.
professional career. been best friends, inseparable. Until Price: R315.00
This is an inspiring story of a the summer that Nora had left and
man who has led from the front everyone’s hearts had been broken…
and played against the best in the Price: R405.00
world.
Price: R390.00

The Villager • October 2025 • 23