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The Afrikaner

When a car-jacking in Johannesburg leads to the death of her colleague and lover, Zoe du Plessis, a palaeontologist of Afrikaner origin, is suddenly confronted with her family’s secret, wrapped in an old Xhosa’s curse. As she heads for the Kalahari Desert in search of early human fossils, Zoe embarks on an inner journey into the sense of guilt haunting her people. Meaningful encounters with an aged Bushman, a legendary but troubled writer author and her ancestors’ diaries will reshape her sense of identity.

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“Arianna Dagnino’s transcultural novel transports the reader into the complex and potentially dangerous world of its protagonist within sensually rich descriptions of southern Africa. The author’s experiential immersion in her topic is obvious in the detailed and nuanced familiarity she evokes with the various cultural groups that form the basis of her characters. Rarely does one encounter a novelist who can articulate so deftly the multiple perspectives that are at the heart of the changing sociological landscape of a place such as postcolonial South Africa. As one whose forebears were among the first Cape colonists, I found Dagnino’s The Afrikaner to be eerily compelling.”

—Dr. Kathryn Pentecost, freelance author, blogger, arts producer.

“A clever, fresh and widely resonating novel whose international, globalizing streak rescues us from stale and overly provincial atmospheres.”

—Dr. Carlo Testa, The University of British Columbia

“Quite amazing and intriguing that I identified with Zoe in so many ways... and have lived parts of her imaginary life for real. Well done with your portrayal of this character. You have the gift, that’s for sure.”

—Dr. Saskia Water, South African palaeontologist

“The text thoughtfully sharpens our awareness of the mingled yarns that create individual identities.”

—Dr. Michael Hattaway, New York University in London

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As a reporter, translator and academic lecturer Arianna Dagnino has crossed many borders and lived in many countries, including a five-year stint in South Africa. The author of books on the impact of globalization and digital technologies, Dagnino holds a PhD from the University of South Australia. She now makes her home in Vancouver.

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Pages
  • 285
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9781771833578
  • Genres
  • fiction, novels
  • Release date
  • 2019