SA Book & Challenge Lovers discussion

Hello Everybody,

I am a South African but live in India. I've never been there since my childhood because I was adopted here. I have great & deep affection for South Africa and South Africans though. Especially when it comes to sports like Cricket I just love South Africa.

Now I want to get into the South African Literature, want to read books, know the culture and everything else. And most importantly I want to make friends with my home South African peoples.

Please become friends with me and suggest me which is the best English book written by a South African writer so that I can start reading it. The opinions might differ I know but I will consider everything and slowly slowly I will read all. I am asking English books because I don't know Afrikaans as I've never been to South Africa ever since my childhood.

I have read many books but none by a South African writer. I am waiting for your response.

Thanks & Regards,
Ankit

Welcome Ankit!

You are in the perfect spot for suggestions by SA writers :)

I suggest: , and

Lu wrote: "Welcome Ankit!

You are in the perfect spot for suggestions by SA writers :)

I suggest: , and "

Thanks Lu very much for your suggestion. I have sent you a friends request. Please accept it

Will do :)

Welcome Ankit
For an Indian South African based book you could also try
and

Hi Ankit, you might like to have a look at these two:

by Marlene van Niekerk
(I haven't read this one yet although it's on my TBR shelf, so I can't comment)

by Richard Rive
(Set in the 1960's during the forced removals and breakdown of District Six in Cape Town. I've read this one - funny and sad, gives a good idea of life during those times.)

by Olive Schreiner

by Dalene Matthee

are old books, also set in the "old South Africa" but they were favourites of mine.

Welcome Ankit

I'm not sure of your overall preferences, but here are a few I'll recommend on recent South African history:




If you like thrillers, you can check out any books by Deon Meyer.

In terms of cricket, most of the South African cricket books seems to be missing on Goodreads. If you tell us what kind of cricket books you like, I'll check the bookshelves at home and send you some suggestions. (Four of the bookshelves in our house are full of cricket books.)

Hi there! I am a huge fan of Andre P Brink. He is part of a group that used novels to speak against the apartheid government. So if you are interested in the political side of SA, I will suggest him, especially Looking on Darkness. Hope it helps :-)

I want to thank everybody who has helped me in this post. And I would like to request you all to accept my friend request. I want to make a few South African friends.

Meanwhile I would consider everyone of your opinions and get started reading with South African books.


@Carolien: as far as Cricket is concerned I would like to know about life stories of some of South African Cricketers. My 2 favorite South African Heroes are Shaun Pollock & Jaques Kallis. And I would appreciate if you yourself could suggest me what kind of South African Cricket books should I read. I don't want to go past records and statistics of cricket. I already know a lot about stats and records about Cricket.


Thanks again Everybody

I have added each book mentioned by everybody involved in this post to my 'To-Read' bookshelf.

I would go on to read every of the books slowly slowly.

Ankit wrote: "I want to thank everybody who has helped me in this post. And I would like to request you all to accept my friend request. I want to make a few South African friends.

Meanwhile I would consider e..."

There isn't an autobiography on Jacques Kallis out yet. Will probably be out as soon as he retires. You can try:
God's Fast Bowler by Peter Pollock covers SA cricket from the 1960's to 2001 including quite a bit on Shaun
Hershelle - a biography by Colin Bryden (Hershelle Gibbs)
Probably the best of the bunch is Gazza by Neil Manthorp on Gary Kirsten
Graeme Smith did the inevitable "Captain's Dairy 2007-2009" if you like that sort of book

Those should get you going.
Enjoy.

I dont think you can miss out Bryce Courtenay.

Emma wrote: "I dont think you can miss out Bryce Courtenay.



"

Thanks very much for the suggestion

Finally friends I have ordered 2 South African Literature Books.

Spud and Life and Times of Michael K

But its sad that I will receive the delivery in as long as 2 weeks time. Nonetheless I am very happy and eagerly waiting to read these books and start my venture with South African Literature.

Thanks to all of you for giving suggestions. I choose these 2 books because these 2 had the highest recommendations to me and some of it was my personal choice as well. I always wanted to read J.M. Coetzee and know exactly why he's won 2 Man Booker Awards. I have marked the other suggestions in my 'To-Read' book shelf.

Thanks & Kind Regards,
Ankit