Zoe Wicomb, October

Natalie Ilsley (University of Manchester)

Ed. by Helen Rachel Cousins, Newman University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 7.2.3.03: South Africa and other Southern Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Helen Rachel Cousins (Newman University), David Firth (University of Manchester)

Dates

First circulation or publication

Places

South Africa (Publication/ performance)

Genres and Modes

Novel

Resources

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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1532 words

Citation: Ilsley, Natalie. "October". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 27 February 2020 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38975, accessed 24 April 2024.]

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