Ivan Vladislavic loves Johannesburg. Scenes from Johannesburg pervade his books and seem to develop their own personality. His writing is clever, gently ironic and witty, well worth reading. This book was originally published with a book of photographs by David Goldblatt and I was sorry I had no access to these photos. I am sure they would have added to the meaningfulness of this book in which two of the major characters are photographers of Johannesburg.
I found it fragmented. It certainly doesn’t follow a smooth beginning to ending plot but I was told by one who should know (Books Editor and Lecturer Linda Gilfillan) that this is because he is a ‘post-modernist’ writer.
It has just won the prestigious Sunday Times Fiction Prize.
Jenny Strikland