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MARCH '24 LIBRARY REVIEWS

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (ZIMBABWE)

The Quality of Mercy by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, 2022
R290 from The Book Lounge

Zimbabwe-born writer Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu’s third novel, The Quality of Mercy, follows Chief Inspector Spokes Moloi in his pursuit of justice and truth as he investigates the disappearance of the revered Emil Coetzee. This compelling story is filled with jaw-dropping plot twists and brings up themes of kinship, trauma, and mercy through thoughtful language and in-depth character exploration. Set during Zimbabwe’s transition from a colonial to a postcolonial state, the novel artfully navigates the complexities of racial dynamics while offering a captivating African perspective on the genre of crime fiction. NM

PHOTOGRAPHY (DIASPORA)

The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion by Antwaun Sargent, 2019
R1210 from Clarke’s Bookshop

Presenting a fresh articulation of the black figure as seen by a generation of black image makers, Antwaun Sargent’s The New Black Vanguard combines short essays interspersed with beautiful spreads by 15 photographers from New York to Lagos, Johannesburg, Saint-Aubin and beyond. Featured here are the likes of Tyler Mitchell, Jamal Nxedlana and Arielle Bobb-Willis – whose models are often contorted in ways that obscure the face, resisting any direct confrontation with the camera. This book resists singular notions of identities while simultaneously capturing a universal black vernacular, and as a result, feels new every time you open it. FKK

PHOTOGRAPHY (DIASPORA)

The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion by Antwaun Sargent, 2019
R1210 from Clarke’s Bookshop

Presenting a fresh articulation of the black figure as seen by a generation of black image makers, Antwaun Sargent’s The New Black Vanguard combines short essays interspersed with beautiful spreads by 15 photographers from New York to Lagos, Johannesburg, Saint-Aubin and beyond. Featured here are the likes of Tyler Mitchell, Jamal Nxedlana and Arielle Bobb-Willis – whose models are often contorted in ways that obscure the face, resisting any direct confrontation with the camera. This book resists singular notions of identities while simultaneously capturing a universal black vernacular, and as a result, feels new every time you open it. FKK

INTERIORS (SOUTH AFRICA)

Perfect Hideaways in South Africa Book 3 by Helen Untiedt and Kerryn Fischer, 2023
R650 from Perfect Hideaways

Like other types of creative endeavour, interior design holds up a mirror to its cultural and sociopolitical context. And so it’s always intriguing to see a large group of domestic interiors from a particular place and time grouped together – as is the case in this, the third volume showcasing beautiful homes that are available to rent in South Africa via the well-known Perfect Hideaways website. These houses demonstrate their owners’ special commitment to the art of creating living spaces that combine complete comfort with aesthetic loveliness – and an ability to fashion a unique sense of place. RA

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (SUDAN)

River Spirit by Leila Aboulela, 2023
R375 from Takealot

Lyrical and with an artist’s eye, Leila Aboulela’s latest offering is this sweeping romance. Juxtaposed with Sudan’s as yet unborn independence, the protagonists are engaged not only in a fight for Sudanese independence from several colonial powers. The reflection of the country’s history in their journey to each other’s hearts is a most beautifully rendered love story. Lift up from your throat a zaghrouta for this book from the first winner of the Caine Prize. LM

ART (CONTINENT-WIDE)

Street Art Africa by Cale Waddacor, 2020
R740 from Clarke’s Bookshop

The first survey to take in the street art of the African continent, this enlightening book was written by Johannesburg-born Cale Waddacor, who has been documenting local graffiti for decades and wrote Graffiti South Africa in 2014. Street Art Africa covers no less than 250 artists in 35 countries, and also includes a glossary of graffiti terms, interviews with top artists and an excess of gritty yet striking images. The book is divided into five sections for Eastern, Central, Northern, Western and Southern Africa, and explores the graffiti scene in various countries and cities. It introduces festivals, projects, and regional differences, while also examining how politics, place and history influence street art. JB

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