Over the last two decades, South African literature has produced some of the most fascinating explorations of temporary return visits and permanent homecomings. An eclectic range of writers such as Zakes Mda in The Heart of Redness (2000), Nadine Gordimer in No Time Like the Present (2012) and Mongane Wally Serote in Rumours (2013) interrogate the exile’s permanent journey home as participating in the construction of a New South Africa. The temporary return home visit is explored by Anne Landsman in The Rowing Lesson (2007), Marlene van Niekerk in Agaat (2006) and Zoë Wicomb in October (2014). Notably, the return of the protagonist in the latter three novels is …

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Citation: Ilsley, Natalie. "October". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 27 February 2020 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38975, accessed 23 November 2024.]

38975 October 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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