Jane Rosenthal

A "heavenly lingering crisp flavour" is how a certain Chinese oolong tea is described in this family memoir — a phrase that captures well the pleasure to be had from this book, writes Jane Rosenthal, reviewing Darryl Accone’s <i>All Under Heaven</i>.

"That Zazah Khuzwayo retained sufficient sanity and clarity to write this memoir is testimony to her strength. She herself attributes her survival to her mother and sister whose love pulled her through". Jane Rosenthal review <i>Never Been at Home</i>.

That this strangely patchy novel should have been published by Secker & Warburg, JM Coetzee’s publishers, is a little mystifying. At times it even seems the esteemed S&W may be hoping for a toehold in the Mills & Boon market, for this novel deals with a series of interconnected love stories, often a little sugary, writes Jane Rosenthal of <i>One Tongue Singing</i> by Susan Mann.

Readers feeling a little bamboozled by the recent fiction/faction forays of South African writers may be pleased to know that this novel is really fiction. And it is affectionately set in a Cape Town, as many will recognise, writes Jane Rosenthal, of Michiel Heyns’ <i>The Reluctant Passenger</i>.

Antjie Krog would rather be thought of as a eucalyptus tree than a kangaroo — that is, if forced to confront the idea that some black South Africans insist she (and all other whites) doesn’t belong here. Jane Rosenthal speaks to the acclaimed poet and author.

Damon Galgut’s new novel examines post-liberation South Africa from the surrounds of a rural hospital, writes Jane Rosenthal.

Why Diane Awerbuck’s latest book, <i>Gardening at Night</i>, should be called a novel is a bit of a mystery, writes Jane Rosenthal.

<b>Review:</b> <i>We Shall Not Weep</i>
by Johnny Masilela
(Kwela)

<b>Review:</b> <i>The Children’s Day</i>

by Michiel Heyns

(Jonathan Ball)

<b>Review: </b><i>Morrison’s Jetty</i>

by Francois Theron

(Penguin)

Lewis Nkosi has critiqued South African political writing. Yet his new novel deals with the struggle era, he tells Jane Rosenthal.

<b>Reviews:</b>
<i>Timbuktu, Timbuktu</i>
Various authors
(Jacana)

<i>The Stone Virgins</i>
Yvonne Vera
(Weaver Press)

<b>REVIEW: </b> Sarah Penny’s <i>The Beneficiaries</i> (Penguin)

The poetic images that stake out the opening pages of this book give the reader fair warning of the emotionally bleak and morally difficult story it contains, writes Jane Rosenthal.

Alexandra Fuller’s rollicking, passionate memoir recalls her childhood during the chimurenga that brought Zimbabwe to the threshold of independence, writes Jane Rosenthal.

South Africa is not short of good novelists; however, getting a novel published is not an easy matter, writes Jane Rosenthal.

REVIEW: Marita van der Vyver’S <i>Griet kom weer</i> (Tafelberg)

<b>Reviews:</b> <i>Huberta</i> by Peter Younghusband and illustrated by Michael Ravenscroft (Capricorn) and <i>The Legend of Huberta </i> written and illustrated by Meg Jordan (Ortus Books).

It’s never too soon to introduce your baby to books, writes Jane Rosenthal.

The Bushmen of Southern Africa</i> by Sandy Gall (Chatto & Windus) and The Healing Land by Rupert Isaacson (Jonathan Ball).

Review: <i>Proud of me: Speaking out against Sexual Violence and HIV</i> by Charlene Smith (Penguin).

South African surgeon Jonathan Kaplan’s experiences around the world have added up to a fascinating book. Jane Rosenthal met him in Cape Town.