Showcasing African Gothic at its finest, this hypnotic novel tangles together classic texts of madness and female rebellion alongside elements of the jingoistic novels of Victorian adventurer H. Rider Haggard. The unnamed narrator spins a web back through a century of colonial possession – political, spiritual and mental – to imagine the stories of conquest and captivity, control and disruption, from the perspective of the ‘half-broken’ men and women. Equally ‘half-broken’ are those dehumanised by their insane greed for dominion and treasure. Ndlovu balances the humanity of her characters against the cruelty of empire, making for a spellbinding, literally haunting account of love and magic. 

Join Jonathan and Siphiwe in their discussion of what it takes to pen such an outstanding ‘literary haunting’ and why the past is never past.

Language: English

Email Délani at events@oudeleeskamer.org to reserve your seat.

Thursday 12 September from 18:00 to 19:30 in Jannie se Leeskamer.