Customer Reviews

Ways of Dying: A Novel

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WAYS OF DYING is one of the most fascinating novels that I have read in years. The book is set in South Africa during a period that seems to span the end of the apartheid regime and focuses exclusively on the lives (and deaths) of poor South African Blacks in rural villages and urban shanty towns near what I suspect is Durban. Fans of Marquez will feel very much at home here in a world of "magical realism", yet while Mda may have been influenced by novels like 100 YEARS OF SOLITUDE he has a voice that is uniquely his own, and one that I sense is profoundly rooted in Africa. Mda's "hero" is a self-declared Professional Mourner, who ekes out an existence at the edge of society. Some aspects of his life are almost grotesque in form, and the deaths that surround him are often truly horrifying, yet somehow I found this a profoundly optimistic and human book. In spite of the worst that the world can throw at him the Professional Mourner is able to transcend mere existence & by the end I was shamelessly rooting for him. I should add that I used this book in a course on the Turn of the Century, and one of my toughest-case students, whom I had failed to excite with anything else, came into my office today saying "I just LOVE Mda" You will too,

I am an avid reader of African literature, both fiction and non-fiction (especially memoirs). I am always searching for contemporary non-white writers (the white writers are good, but it is not unreasonable to want other perspectives), so I was happy to learn about Zakes Mda from a recent New York Times book review column, and I ordered his two books immediately.

'Ways of Dying' is not about post-apartheid South Africa, though the blurb suggests that. I estimate it to be set in the late 1980s, shortly before the end of the old regime was drawing near.

It's a short book, but it's well written, and paints a vivid picture of life in South Africa. And yes, the 'black perspective' is different, and very interesting, and most welcome.

I loved this book; and I cannot tell why. For me it was one of those disturbing reads that I could not put down. The imagery is pointed; the themes uniquely universal. I say uniquely because this story grows out of its setting, but is imaginable in Durban, Gaza, Burma, or Sarajevo (of the last century).

Recently i had the pleasure of reading material from one of South Africa's most celebrated black authors, Zakes Mda. An Oxford University Press published book titled "Ways of Dying", this is a South African fiction selection. Being a fiction, it is wtitten in a very creative manner that i could hardly associate with any of the books i had read before.

This is a story of love written with expectation of one's imagination to take over. The wording, grouping, style and context of this book make it so. It is mainly based on two characters and the way they live their lives. Toloki is a man consumed with the profession of mourning the dead whilst his love Noria has lost immensely through life, still has the ability to show Toloki how to live.

There are various different characters in this novel, which make it as interesting. Even with their differences, they jell well together making the story line easily readable and understandably creative enough to follow. The vast lines go from Toloki who grew up as the ugliest boy in the village and people taking no note of him to the same character turning into a man who is widely respected for his chosen profession in the city outskirts where it was the only place he found recognition. In the village where he grew up Toloki had a friend who had the identity he wanted. Her name was Noria. Toloki hated and loved her with the same heart. Noria was everyone's favorite in the villafe; she had her mother's beauty and brought all the boys and towns' man attention and had the most amazing laugh that made all the village people happy whenever they heard it. When she was sad, everyone was too.

The writing style used in this book is that which is very easy to follow. There are no bombastic (big) words used nor are there times where you could lose the story. Every word flows into a paragraph that combines to others that make this a brilliantly written story.

One of the other things that make this an interesting read is the humor infused.

This is a brilliant written book that everyone with a sense of adventure and imagination will enjoy.

Beautifully written. Story recalls memories of South Africa. Even though the most terrible things happen throughout the book the author makes it's tone light and somewhat ironical.

The "theme" is death and ways that people die, thought the story is about two people from the same village, things that happened in their lives and how the meet again and go on from there.

The optimism of the main character is painful yet not unrealistic.

I enjoyed recognising the typical South Africna expressions and the atmospere.

I read this book many years ago. I think I just picked it up one day- cannot remember why- and it was surely a surprise. The opening page drew me in completely and immediately. After this, the story wrapped itself around me- as I was transported- Mda is a very poetic writer- and his pacing is perfect in this book. His characters are full and real- and human.

It is at once heartbreaking and heartwarming.

I also very much enjoyed the socio-cultural atmosphere Mda was able to evoke without being heavy handed. Moreover- I very much enjoyed that the city in which Toloki resides is not identified by name (fictional or otherwise) this had my extra senses on alert for more geographical information- and really involved me in the movement of the story.

The dignity and positivity that exists at all in this book seems to come natural for Mda despite situations- and the use of magical realism in this book was also subtle and perfectly attuned to the development of the plot and characters.

I later heard Mda Speak on two occasions- and wow. He is wittier and more intelligent than I even imagined.

Apparently this was his first novel- having grown accustomed to writing plays. Well done.

I was also impressed by the fact that Mda was able to evoke the feelings, auras, scents, and rythym of life in a SOuth Africa he had had to exile for a number of years.

I have read two other Mda Books- each one different- but with some similar Mda-isms. I enjoyed these as well- but this one is still my favorite so far.

It is interesting how this novel captures a slice of life in South Africa that spans two generations and sheds some light on a sort of cultural context that is enlightening.

I saw the 'Sequel' on a bookshelf and was somewhat disappointed to see it- but I bought it anyway because I actually really love the character and the way Mda Writes- I have not yet read it- just the back:-)

What a great, somewhat abstract, work of fiction. All that you need to know about the plot is that it follows a man that takes it upon himself to serve as a professional mourner. He cries at funerals for a living! Its a brilliant idea, as harrowing as it is hilarious. The cover explains the novel perfectly. Full of colorful personalities and satirical undertones. I loved it!

This book is simply great, it was a lot more than i had expected...i recomend it very much to anyone who is looking for an intersting piece that explores what the end of of one of the darkest times in south africa

Like all recent South African fiction I have read, this one is full of horrible violence. But it is a love story, and much more optimistic than Coetzee or Brink.

Don't know what to think about this novel. I was little afraid because few weeks ago I've read Mda's "The Wale Caller" which I really didn't like. However this is much better novel.
The idea of professional mourner is quite original one, few surrealistic drops were quite interesting, background scene was .... Of course very cruel almost apocalyptic however I'm not sure how convincing was it. Indeed, there are few remarks about colour of the skin but there is no clear racist hatred while brutality is part of everyday life. Death as well with numerous ways of dying just like there are numerous ways of living.
Brutality can bee seen on every corner is something that was not quite convincing for me. And not only brutality of the society towards the poor but brutality between them as well. Brutality between neighbors, brutality of parents toward their children, etc.
Set the man in flame just because that's how you're joking, or put a tire on kid's neck, pour it with petrol and burned it or put the child into the chains, use it to beg the money and forgot to give him the food until he dies and dogs eat him was just a little to much to ask from the reader to believe.
But all in all it's interesting novel about life during transitional years in South Africa where in spite of horrifying reality the characters are profoundly optimistic.