Despite Van Wyk's later becoming involved in the anti-apartheid 'struggle', this is not a book about racial politics. Instead, it is a delightful account of one boy's special relationship with the relatives, friends and neighbours - often decidedly quirky - who made up his community, and of the important coping role laughter and humour played during the years he spent in bleak, dusty townships. In "Shirley, Goodness & Mercy", Chris van Wyk has created a truly remarkable record of life in the Coloured community at once both informative and vastly entertaining. "A lovely book; well told and beautifully executed." - "Cape Times." "Well worth waiting for, this is a memoir not to miss." - "Sunday Independent." "Van Wyk's strength is to look at the world as if with the innocent eyes of a child and to convey this hopeful vision to other." - "Sowetan." "An authentic and important contribution to South African literature; it is also an entertaining social document of a specific community." - "Mail and Guardian."