Customer Reviews

You Can't Get Lost in Cape Town (Women Writing Africa)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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Wicomb is simply the most stunning writer I've come across in ages. Written and published during apartheid (1987), the book has a political history of its own. The beauty of this book, though, is that the art comes first and creates a poignant space for Wicomb's deftly-constructed discussions on South African race, class and gender politics. I've read and taught this book for two years and, with each read, it keeps getting better.

Some of the linked stories in this collection were better than others. Freida is Colored in South Africa and becomes the (fat) girl who does well and goes to a private school and later to England. I loved the details - particularly the subtle, non-explaining ways in which Wicomb addresses Apartheid. (sometimes, though, I wanted a little bit of telling to explain some things and make them clearer)

In the final story, Freida is about to have a story collection published, which perhaps means that we can assume there is much autobiography here. Freida/Wicomb feels both shame and guilt and a reluctant love for who she is and where she comes from. And she so wonderfully shows, in the most subtle of ways, how hair is a major political issue for people of color.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book of interlinked short stories. She is a sensitive and highly intelligent writer and I just happened upon this book when browsing at the library. The title caught my eye. I am ex-South African but know very little about the history and experiences of the "coloured" people of South Africa. Now I shall read the other books by ZW and also recommend them to friends who may be interested too. I found the last chapter where the mother claims the protea flower as a symbol of the land and the indigenous people rather than of the SA state (and apartheid) very powerful.

"You Can't Get Lost in Cape Town" is a great read. This is a story about hardships of womanhood; about the life of the Coloureds in South Africa, about forbidden love, self-consciousness, and much more. Zoe Wicomb is a very talented writer. I highly recommend this book!