This article was in progress when Rhona passed away yesterday and in light of her passing we decided to publish the piece of the launch of her book The Gratitude Cradle and combine it with a small tribute to her life.
It is with great sadness we announce that Rhona Barnett Beck passed away on 9 September 2015, in a London hospital. She will be buried with her husband, South African industrialist and wine maker Graham Beck, and their son, Clive Beck in Israel, tomorrow.
Rhona was born to Jewish parents, Henry John Barnett and Lea Frieda in Johannesburg on 10 July 1937. Her elder sister was the novelist Shirley Eskapa (who passed away in London in August 2011). Rhona is survived by her son Antony, his wife Angela, their five children, Emma, William, Andrew, Henry and Lily, and a large circle of family and close friends that will miss her terribly.
Barnett Beck wrote her first novel in 2006, The Glass Sky, which received wide acclaim. Following a series of periods of ill health, Barnett Beck was able to finish The Gratitude Cradle in 2015, after over a decade of writing it. Barnett Beck’s latest novel, The Gratitude Cradle, will be appearing at the Milan book fare later this year, accompanied by a video interview of her talking about the book. Having started writing much later on in life, Barnett Beck has left behind two incredibly important works of fiction, and leaves a reader wishing she had written more.
Rhona Barnett Beck was an enigma that knew no bounds. Rhona took up writing when most people were retiring, and despite being plagued with ill health for many years, Rhona excelled at it. Her passion and sincerity in her words can not be denied, as sincerity is something that can not be faked.
The recent launch party at Rhona’s London home hosted a number of well known people, including Raymond Ackerman, many people from the literary world as well as SA Promo. The party was nothing short of stunning which is to be expected when your sister was a world famous author and you are the widow of South African powerhouse. Yet, you would think anyone would cash in on such a position, use those contacts and force the book to be a fast selling success. Rhona simply refused to do such and relied solely on the book’s own merit, and the efforts she made all her own, no string pulling or cheap tricks. A rare thing in the days of publicity for publicities sake. The Gratitude Cradle is an incredible work which stands proudly alone and speak for itself. To many, myself included, it has roared.
This book, The Gratitude Cradle takes the reader through the life of a family, through four different generations. From the times of the concentration camps and death march in 1945 of the period of liberation, right up to modern times focussing on the young lives of grandchildren and great grandchildren. The lives of the generations that follow are so interlinked and individual, the story tells an incredibly powerful tale based not only in love and faith, but deeply seated at its heart, gratitude.
Beck has pushed the boundaries and forces the reader to question their role in life. A very difficult read within the book is a the describing of the hideous works of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Copies of such having been found on the remains of suicide bombers. Beck uses this book to debunk and expose these teachings for the fraud that they are while sensitively and eloquently not being offensive in the process. Beck has passionately and carefully described some of the harshest and most difficult teachings as nonsense, all the while retaining kindness, care and love in the words she has used. A skill many, like myself, lack.
The book serves as an exquisite example of how things that are said are important whilst that which is not said, are equally so. The lunches between Rupert’s second and third wives are utterly hysterical. To read the external dialogues so clipped and restrained and to also read the internal thoughts, have rarely been done so well. The quick wit, incredible manners, and brave humour is refreshing and it makes this book a must read.
Beck’s incredible ability to use so few words to explain not only emotion and feeling, but these powerful words are able in a short read to accurately and specifically describe circumstances in world history with complete ease.
Tragedy is the backdrop against which the story unfolds – but it is grave and the transfiguring power of love that ultimately prevails.
You will regret not reading this book. The Gratitude Cradle can be purchased on Amazon.
This is a clip of the last interview given by Rhona about her book.
