I've mentioned popular works like Nyphomation and Night Watch so perhaps the time is right for something completely different. It seems like the right time for another mention of foreign writers. So I've noted the works of a few fantastic South African writers which will appeal to the arty readers out there.

My Life by Athol Fugard

Athol Fugard is a legend, as far as South African literature is concerned. His works have always made social commentary about the ongoing injustices and pains felt by those around him. This may not seem that significant now when the memory of apartheid and its atrocities are a distant memory. However, don't be fooled by that thought. His work is especially powerful partly because he was writing at a time when you can get into trouble for criticizing the regime.

While he has penned a number of excellent works, the book I am focusing on is My Life. This is a collection of diary-style autobiographical accounts by five South African women of different races. Their thoughts, noted down for the sake of this collection, are heavily influenced by their cultural background, upbringing and their current social status. The point of this work was interesting; the time of compilation was after the abolishing of apartheid system and Fugard wanted to know what the youth, especially the women, expected from the new South Africa. This collection of first-hand stories are quite touching. Their candid descriptions of their surrounds and life adds a touch of sincerity to this work. This is an element that I find lacking in other attempts by different authors where their efforts come across as a rather preachy, idealistic endeavor.

Spud by John Howard van de Ruit

You must have heard of this book. It was a raging success in South Africa and then, following its publication in other countries, it continued to win over readers. Written by John Howard van de Ruit, this quirky novel follows the footsteps of a young boy in a boarding school in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. I like to think of it as a mix between Adrian Mole's Diary and Angela's Ashes since the novel mingles humorous instances from the boy's life with somewhat serious occurrences, particularly when referring to the upheavals occurring in the background. As for the events in question, it is the crucial period when the anti-apartheid movement is picking up pace and Nelson Mandela has finally been freed from jail. Don't let me mislead you - It's not such a serious novel as one would expect; readers will fall in love with the weird and wonderful characters that are part of the main protagonist's life. And you will be laughing away at most of the antics depicted in this feel-good novel. 

Disgrace by J M Coetzee

J.M. Coetzee is definitely one of the most popular South African authors around. His numerous awards and accolades have certainly helped expand his readership-base. This particular book, Disgrace, is currently making the news due to the recent movie version directed by Steve Jacobs. Of course, the book is famous in its own right. Written in Coetzee's introspective style, the story explores that changing face of South Africa by following the footsteps of a disgraced professor. He loses what is deemed to be the certainties of his life, partly due to his own doing (relationship with student) and partly due to circumstances beyond his control (the rape of his daughter). For those of you interested in exploring the turbulent emotions raging through various parts of South Africa, this book is great medium for such a venture.