SA reads discussion

What interests you about South Africa and South African books in particular?

Most of my literary ventures and studies have been quite strictly European, and I am hoping to break out of this shell and discover other authors!

It's fun to read about locations and events that I, as a South African, can relate to. Visiting actual locations provides great "geek" memories/moments.

Is this a road trip reference?

Ja!

I've read some history and literature from most parts of the world, but SA remains well over my horizon. I want to see if I can fill in the part of my my map that now reads, "There be dragons here!"...Are there Komodos in SA?

Um, I've seen them in the zoo... And our Iguanas get pretty huge!

No komodos indigenous to SA

Thought they were Indonesian???

But we do have crocs that would make a komodo look like a lizard. Dave, do investigate this dark continent - it holds some very interesting stories.

Leon, the feature that most interests me about Africa is the the complex of relationships between and among ethnic groups. Regarding SA, I'm curious to know how they've changed over the past hundred years.

Over the last 20 years things have changed dramatically. In some cases for the better, in others for much, much worse. But that's Africa, and I still love it to distraction.

What I like about SA fiction, is that a majority of books were written as a social commentary (think Brink, Gordimer and Coetzee) on the situation in our country. It is one way to learn of the circumstances. We have progressed and changed and done some incredible things in 100 years, although our past is so tragic. Our arts and culture, for example the books, reflect this change.
I was wondering around those of us interested in non- fiction. A thought was the idea of a 'buddy- read'. Once our books have been voted for and we have a read for October, we could have a way of choosing a non- fiction read around the circumstances in the book. Like all things, this is optional.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Lisa, I think that's a great idea. I've read the bios and reviews of the authors you and Adele suggested and, personally, I'm certainly looking forward to reading their work soon.

It saddens me that some of the greatest works relating to our heritage, our country, our nature and our people simply cannot be translated and will never be appreciated by the rest of the world.
'O diep rivier o donker stroom...'

'Sy trap af van die hoogte
en sprei haar vaal karos met albei arms uit....'

Awesome stuff.

Agree Leon

I've recently bought copies of poetry by Aniel Botha and Ingrid Jonker. It's almost impossible to convey the sentiment in translation.

"Die Groot Verseboek" is my second bible.

Leon, I havent read enough Afrikaans poetry. I liked it at school, 15 years ago, but haven't explored much further.
Last year, at Varsity, we had a lecture on translation and how much understanding is actually lost. Our class is about 20 people, 3 of whom speak no Afrikaans. Our lecturer decided to demonstrate his point by writing a line from a poem and asking us to translate. O boy. The line was 'Daai heppie hotnot mentality', (cue gasp) and we just couldn't get it. There's so much explaining to translate that.

I reiterate - translating poetry is impossible.
Sad but true.

I'm reading a lot of books at the moment, but not South African authors. I did read Carlyle Labuschagne's The Broken Series (Sorry Carlyle if I spelled your surname wrong) It's really good and you should read it. She is a South African author, but due to the market this side she also went to the USA to publish her novel. Another one is from Lea Cherry, also a South African author, the same happened with her. We don't have a fantasy market this side. Her's are called The Rose of Cavendish.

All proudly South African authors

I've actually ever thought about our fantasy market, although I love fantasy. Thanks for sharing.

I would LOVE to try some South African fantasy!!

Try them, I know there is plenty more, you guys will be surprised how many Fantasy authors South Africa got that publish in the USA and UK

Apart from Apartheid, I have read very very little of South Africa as oppose to reading/studying about others countries from the same continent. I guess this group will help stir the way :). Discussing with others about a book makes the learning experience better, in my opinion. (Even my readings of Apartheid is not extensive.)

Marren, what is so appealing is how diverse the books are, much like our country.

I suspect. I remembering watching a program on CNN some time ago, about South Africa's Art, Music etc. I remember being impressed about the Art work and the way everything is set up.

As a South African author myself, I am interested in becoming better acquainted with other local novels, particularly in the contemporary women's fiction genre. Most of my reading up till now has focused on British and American fiction because that was what was most accessible to me in audio format. I like to read about places I recognise and particularly about the customs, conventions and concerns of local women!Lisa wrote: "What interests you about South Africa and South African books in particular?"

Familiarity does seem to breed a measure of contempt for most South Africans. Our passion for our own country seems to begin and end with sport. I read South African books because I know how creative South Africans are. Apartheid, and the scorn of the world, saw us lose our confidence, but with the support of our own people South African creatives will rise to the top again.

From my experience as a South African author, it's very hard to get your novel published, locally, unless you go with Self Publishing. It's like our market is twenty years behind international market. There is plenty of South African authors out there that took the international route and I have to say, South African authors have a lot of talent. The past two years, South African authors popped on the charts. I'm proud to be a South African. Whether I write about South Africa or not. We do have just a big of a chance and international authors to make it big. It just takes a bit harder doing everything from here. I'll always help a South African author out no matter what the genre is, even if I don't like the genre. hehehe.

For starters I am really excited to see this group. As a non-fiction author it is really hard to get published in SA. Our book industry is more open to international authors. As it goes one is never recognised in your home town.
I learned a few things along the way about publishing and marketing my books both in SA and internationally. I never approached the publishers because I wanted to have copyright.
I find other authors and writers eager to share and I hope to meet more of you in this group. It took me 5 months to publish a paperback in SA and another 3 months to publish it internationally.
As South Africans we share a unique way of life. We are blessed with sunshine and an outdoors lifestyle, which means we do not live in a virtual world as much as some other places. If we add to that how conscious we live when we leave the front door, we tend to notice more in our environments. I find even travelling with other nationalities we are more adventurous. I guess it should not surprise me that we even have a group like this. So a big thank you from me.
I wrote my story as a woman who had to leave all of this (can you believe it), to go find myself somewhere else and then put my life back together. Maybe only a true South African women with our unique culture blend here can understand what it means to liberate yourself.

Hello Adèle! Things are going to get interesting now... Hope you will join us in more discussions. Welcome

If its local - I am all yours.

Always

Adele wrote: "Hello Adèle! Things are going to get interesting now... Hope you will join us in more discussions. Welcome"

I think we might have to rename you two: perhaps Adele 1 and Adele 2. I got Lisa and yourself mixed up a few times during discussions, Adele. Imagine me trying to deal with two Adele's.
And don't make a nasty comment about the mental capacity of men, Adele 1 - too predictable.

Luckily this space is big enough for two Adele's, a LISA and male mental capacities!!!

Vicki wrote: "Adele wrote: "Luckily this space is big enough for two Adele's, a LISA and male mental capacities!!!"
John why are you stirring again?"

Vicki, you know how it is. New group members must be initiated. It is the law of the group. Don't put on a pretty face for Adele 2 - she must know what she is in for here.

Vicki wrote: "John wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Adele wrote: "Luckily this space is big enough for two Adele's, a LISA and male mental capacities!!!"
John why are you stirring again?"

Vicki, you know how it is. New gr..."

Brilliant! The unedited version...and she is not allowed to say one bad thing. Oh, and she must write a 1000 word review. That should do fine.

Vicki wrote: "Lets do it. Adele 2 sorry, but it is now required reading."

I think we've scared her off.

Adèle wrote: "If its local - I am all yours."

Welcome Adele. I see you've already met the peanut gallery...

And it's great to know people with such boundless enthusiasm as you guys...

Lisa wrote: "And it's great to know people with such boundless enthusiasm as you guys..."

If I could have seen the position of your tongue as you wrote that comment, Lisa, I would know how to respond.

Welcome to the new Adele! Buckle up, you're in for a ride!

Just call me Green. Nice to connect.

John wrote: "Lisa wrote: "And it's great to know people with such boundless enthusiasm as you guys..."

If I could have seen the position of your tongue as you wrote that comment, Lisa, I would know how to res..."

It's a compliment John.

Adèle wrote: "Just call me Green. Nice to connect."

Like Rachel from Friends. Welcome.