“Two ways to the cottage. Different ways: one was very old, and one was new.” Continue reading
Between Two Worlds: A review of “The Lonely Londoners”
Sam Selvon’s The Lonely Londoners was written in the 1950s in a climate of change for the West Indies and Britain. As the British Empire slowly lost grip of its ‘acquired’ colonies, the British population found themselves with the confronting prospect of their colonial subjects ‘invading’ their white spaces and homeland. The Lonely Londoners tells … Continue reading
Fire and Clay: a Review of Helen Wecker’s “The Golem and the Djinni”
The Golem and the Djinni is, like many fantasy stories, long. With close to 700 pages it’s a commitment sort of book. Nothing you would hastily rush into, something that requires diligence and effort. Something that requires patience. For a long time, it was a book that I could not read because I lacked the time … Continue reading
What do editors and proofreaders really do?: A letter to Zoella
If you follow news about books and writing you have probably seen article after article about Zoella and her book Girl Online. You have probably seen attacks against the work for its ghostwriting elements and also defenses of the book stating that Zoella used editors and proofreaders like any other writer would. I’ve never followed … Continue reading
Old Feet
I wrote this story when I was doing my Bachelor’s of Arts. My father had struggled with rheumatoid arthritis for several years. He was always a fit and strong man and his arthritis stole a lot of his movement. It’s perhaps a weird homage to pay… to someone’s feet. I’m publishing this story on what … Continue reading
Remembrance Day
For the first time in my life, I am living in a country that doesn’t have a Remembrance Day because it has not fought in a war for over 100 years. The Swiss pride themselves on neutrality as though being neutral proves or even protects the country’s innocence. I’m not sure how much I can … Continue reading
True Crime in South Africa: a review of Antony Altbeker’s “Fruit of a Poisoned Tree”
Fruit of a Poisoned Tree is from New Journalism author, Antony Altbeker. Over 2005-2007, Altbeker followed the infamous trial of Fred Van der Vyver, the man accused of killing his girlfriend, Inge Lotz, in one of South Africa’s most brutal murders. The story is anything but simple. South Africa is a country in crisis and … Continue reading
Writing Tips
Writing is never easy. And there is no easy way out: it requires planning, a lot of time, and even more will power. Whether you write for school assignments, your job, or for fun, the struggles are universal. Motivation is the biggest issue for most writers, myself included. I look at the task at hand … Continue reading
“Stones Against the Mirror”: Review of Hugh Lewin’s ficto-memoir
Stones Against the Mirror is written by Hugh Lewin, a South African anti-Apartheid activist who spent seven years in gaol for crimes of sabotage against the state. Hugh was sent to gaol by his best friend Adrian, also an anti-Apartheid activist. This is a story of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness. The book begins at a … Continue reading
A Review of the Third Book in the All Souls Trilogy: “The Book of Life”
I felt relief when I saw that this book was coming out this Summer. I have started many a trilogy/series where I have waited, painstakingly, as the years go by and still no new release (George R.R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss, I’m looking at you both!). Deborah Harkness, thankfully, did not put me through such … Continue reading
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