Litnet

"With the help of Maggie’s enterprising grandchildren they start a Boomers’ Rights Campaign which catches the attention of the press. They demand freedom of movement, among other things."

"Is this a good book? Yes, it is a bloody good book. Is it a masterpiece, as was A Man of Good Hope? No, its descriptions are, but its analysis is sometimes flawed. Would I recommend it as a purchase and as a read? Without a doubt."

"I’ve found that as my career has progressed, I get the chance to work with more and more incredible people. For me, the fun is making a book or a comic or a novel that is better than what I could do on my own."

"I have a rough idea in my head of where places are, but what I will find there is a discovery each time and I can know only when I put it to the page. The reader and I find things together."

If South Africa’s mainly capitalist economy was thriving, with high growth, low unemployment, and rising living standards, the ANC could not justify expanding state ownership or control.

"This is how Cardo argues: he admits the truth, then airbrushes it to excuse his subject’s failures."

"This story came about through my love for spirituality and my fascination with the divine powers intrinsic to humans, animals and nature. I come from a long line of diviners and healers, and also sinister sorcerers, who all propelled me, involuntarily, to write this story."

"Writing is a passion-driven art form, but at the end of the day it’s still a job, so at times it needs to be difficult."

"One of the things I try to teach my students is that words can be a seed or a match, depending on how we use them. They have led to wars, and they have inspired nations."

"There is time and space in the Karoo that you don’t have in a city. In the Karoo, you experience not only a closeness to nature, but a closer coalface experience of society."

"Academics from Sweden, Australia, the United Kingdom and, of course, South Africa descended on Cradock during the latest edition of the Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival, which took place from 15 to 18 June 2023."

As Samsung Africa’s former President and CEO, Sung Yoon was a first-hand witness to the company’s journey to becoming a global brand.

"Wisani Mushwana’s debut novel addresses disturbing themes; he does not shy away from difficult matters, nor does he force the reader to confront them. He leads us through the narrative with a clear, natural and at times melodious tone, which makes for pleasant reading."

"All the same, I commend the book for delineating well the pathological symptoms of worshiping Mammon, even if it doesn’t provide pressure valves to let off the steam. We may, as I indicated, argue that the artist’s duty is only to mirror our society back on itself. Alas, that attitude is easier said until, like me, you become a parent. Then you worry about the tremendous influence art has in depicting to overly impressionable youth misdirected shortcuts of success."

"What is so special about this book is the hope and belief among the interviewees that there can be a solution that will free all the inhabitants to live free from fear and war."

"Razzano has engaged with a number of controversial aspects of historical and contemporary South African society in the telling of an exciting story. His insights and observations are striking, provocative, humorous and unique."

"We often get asked why we are focusing on animals, children, education and the environment – instead of possibly just one or two of these. When we consider the case of Phoebe, it is impossible to separate out the animal cruelty from the child welfare issues and the overarching need for people to be educated around incorrect superstitions, animal sentience and the psychological welfare of the children involved."

Lovers of books and of meaningful conversations can get ready for the next edition of the Open Book Festival. This much beloved item on Cape Town’s literary calendar returns in early September.

"There was just a clear flow of eloquence, with lessons obviously learned over years through the trial and error of applying ancient wisdom to living situations. Within no time, I was hooked."

The winner and the two runners up of The Island Prize 2023 have been announced.