THE LONG SILENCE OF MARIO SALVIATI by Etienne van Heerden (Sceptre) The latest novel by one of South Africa’s foremost writers, translated into English and now in paperback. The deaf-mute painter Mario, said Christopher Hope in his Guardian review, is “a compelling and moving creation”. Van Heerden, said Hope, “may have invented a new form” — not so much magic realism as “marijuana realism”.
LINKS by Nuruddin Farah (Kwela) The new novel by the author of Secrets, in which a Somalian man goes back to his former home in Mogadiscio to search for his mother’s grave. But it will be a voyage of discovery in more ways than one.
THE SECRET DIARY OF GOD (AGED NINE AND A HALF MILLION TRILLION YEARS) discovered and edited by Koos Kombuis (Zebra) The maverick Afrikaans singer/songwriter/ novelist/poet takes on the greatest fictional character of all time and crafts an hilarious account of His doings over the aeons.
FINGERSMITH by Sarah Waters (Virago) The lesbian historical bestseller, set among London’s criminal underclass in 1892. Shortlisted for both the Booker and Orange prizes. “Long, dark, twisted and satisfying,” said The Guardian.
GRANTA 81: BEST OF YOUNG BRITISH NOVELISTS 2003 The famous journal picks the top 20 and samples their work.
MURDER AT MORIJA by Tim Couzens (Random House) The prize-winning author investigates a murder that took place 80 years ago at the Basutoland mission station.