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OCTOBER '23 LIBRARY REVIEWS

PHOTOGRAPHY (SOUTH AFRICA)

House of Bondage by Ernest Cole, 2022
R475 from Clarke’s Bookshop

Originally published in 1967, Ernest Cole’s book House of Bondage was a visual alarm call regarding the brutal oppression and racism to which the black population of South Africa was being subjected under apartheid. This reissued edition of an icon of documentary photography includes images that have never been seen before, plus contextualising essays, and Cole’s photographs retain all their searing power. RA

ART (CONTINENT-WIDE & DIASPORA)

African Art Now: Fifty Pioneers Defining African Art for the Twenty-First Century by Osei Bonsu, 2022
R950 from Jonathan Ball

Showcasing the work of 50 young artists whose careers were established between 2010 and 2020, this book is an excellent introduction to contemporary African art across the continent, and in the diaspora beyond. New discovery highlights for us: Amoako Boafo’s and Wangari Mathenge’s paintings, and Lebohang Kganye’s photographs; the inclusion of Cinga Samson is a reminder of the breathtaking talent of this young artist. RA

ART (CONTINENT-WIDE & DIASPORA)

African Art Now: Fifty Pioneers Defining African Art for the Twenty-First Century by Osei Bonsu, 2022
R950 from Jonathan Ball

Showcasing the work of 50 young artists whose careers were established between 2010 and 2020, this book is an excellent introduction to contemporary African art across the continent, and in the diaspora beyond. New discovery highlights for us: Amoako Boafo’s and Wangari Mathenge’s paintings, and Lebohang Kganye’s photographs; the inclusion of Cinga Samson is a reminder of the breathtaking talent of this young artist. RA

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (BOTSWANA)

Call and Response by Gothataone Moeng, 2023
R395 from Clarke’s Bookshop

In this debut collection of nine short stories, Moeng draws her reader into the lives of young women reinventing themselves to explore multiple perspectives on life, happiness, suffering, and joy, while navigating the constraints of traditional expectations and modern aspirations in the village of Serowe, in Botswana. Each story is unique and stands on its own, and each also shares important aspects of culture and tradition from the city of Gaborone. BM

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (DIASPORA)

Small Country by Gaël Faye, 2016
R240 from The Book Lounge

Small Country is a remarkable story about growing up in a time of turmoil. The novel follows Gabriel, a young boy living in Burundi. Boyish mischief and the humdrum everyday tasks of youth fill his days. However, in the blink of an eye, the cruelty of war upends his life. The novel perfectly portrays the destructive nature of war from the perspective of youthful naivety and innocence. It also brilliantly captures the heart-breaking pain of losing friends, family, places of belonging and childhood to war. Gaël Faye’s debut novel gives intimate insight into the Rwandan and Burundian civil wars, making it a challenging yet memorable read. NM

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (DIASPORA)

Small Country by Gaël Faye, 2016
R240 from The Book Lounge

Small Country is a remarkable story about growing up in a time of turmoil. The novel follows Gabriel, a young boy living in Burundi. Boyish mischief and the humdrum everyday tasks of youth fill his days. However, in the blink of an eye, the cruelty of war upends his life. The novel perfectly portrays the destructive nature of war from the perspective of youthful naivety and innocence. It also brilliantly captures the heart-breaking pain of losing friends, family, places of belonging and childhood to war. Gaël Faye’s debut novel gives intimate insight into the Rwandan and Burundian civil wars, making it a challenging yet memorable read. NM

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