Depends what you’re wanting. Nadine Gordimer’s writing is brilliant, fiction about Apartheid and its effects, and subsequently the social situation in post-Apartheid SA.
The classic James Michener historical novel The Convenant is excellent at showing European colonialism but is shamefully void of the African point of view and history.
The Power of One, Bryce Courtenay. Brilliant book.
Many thanks!
Totally second this – brilliant book ??
I ditto The Power of One. Also, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-books-about-south-africa-1454549
Depends what you’re wanting. Nadine Gordimer’s writing is brilliant, fiction about Apartheid and its effects, and subsequently the social situation in post-Apartheid SA.
Anything really, but looking particularly for stories taking place in Northwest province. But that’s probably too specific…
The classic James Michener historical novel The Convenant is excellent at showing European colonialism but is shamefully void of the African point of view and history.
Oops. Didn’t see fiction. Trevor Noah’s isn’t fiction.
No worries. I read that one already. And actually, a lot of that book is in fact fiction.
The Power of One by Courtenay Brice or Bryce. All about South Africa leading up to WWII. I love it still.
Bryce Courtney is the author’s name. He’s Australian. Great author!
Love that book!
@Jan I always flipped the names. Australia has some of the best authors.
Skinner’s Drift by Lisa Fugard.
Disgrace by JM Coetzee
“Cry, the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton
How about this one?
Hum If You Don’t Know the Words by Bianca Marais
Botswana. Borders. No1 Ladies Detective
I live in Botswana…. 😉
@Adela How amazing. Hello from here in the San Francisco Bay Area in California!!
@Nann Hello from Gaborone. I am American, working at the U.S. embassy here.
Here Me Alone.
Where are you from in the States?
@Nann Born in Czechoslovakia when it still existed. Resident and voter of CA, but lived mostly in DC.
??I am from Botswana
Cry The Beloved Country
Burgers Daughter
Oh I have Burger’s Daughter waiting on my shelf.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad of memory serves
This is central Africa – Congo. Difficult read.
@Adela thank you. It’s been a long while
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller, is my favorite of hers. She has written several set in Africa.
I Also liked Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Try “The Tigers Prey” by Wilbur Smith. A man travels to Cape Town with revenge and fortune on his mind.???
Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton.
That is the best!!
White Dog Fell from the Sky: A Novel by Eleanor Morse
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18079577
Also – Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela(not fiction but embedded in South African story); Also – Disgrace JM Coetzee.
The Power of One
Bryce Courtenay
Look for books by Zakes Mda. ?
Natasha Mostert’s , “Windwalker”
Don’t let’s go to the dogs tonight is very good but is in Mozambique if I remember correctly. Very worth a read! It’s a memoir, not fiction.
I just started The Grass is Singing. Not sure how I feel about it yet… Maybe try a free sample first?
Really powerful read. And the fact Leasing had to smuggle it out of the country says so much.
Thank you all very much!!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fiction_set_in_South_Africa
The Power of One by Bryce Courtney. Epic read.
Read anything at all by Bryce Courtney!!! I love his books!
Circling The Sun by Paula McLean
“Cry, the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton is a classic.
Power of One. Circling the Sun is set in Kenya but a wonderful read.