Approaching her sometimes disturbing subject matter without kid gloves, Makhene brings together interlocking narratives that astonish as they reveal how malignant political forces can both ravage and vitalize the human spirit.
Makhene’s literary debut is a much-needed addition to contemporary fiction ... Makhene’s stories capture the heart and soul of the Soweto people through her rich use of the vernacular and celebration of their lives.
Throughout the stories, Makhene peppers her prose with Dutch, Afrikaans, and South African English. Quick internet translations will reward diligent readers, but the book's most striking multilingual moments arrive when characters add their own flavor of interpretation ... Makhene's vividly rendered stories are propulsive and challenging.
