White Boy Running [Paperback]

Christopher Hope (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 1989

In 1987, after a twelve year absence, Chistopher Hope returned to South Africa to report on the run up to that year's whites-only election. The nature of the election campaign and the bitter defeat of the liberals lead him to write this satirical, evocative portrait of what it looked and felt like growing up in a country gripped by an absurd, racist insanity. Full of exquisite and despairing descriptions of the landscape the White Boy is running through, this mordantly witty account of escape, displacement and disillusionment is a modern classic of journalistic memoir. 'beautifully written' - "The Times". 'mocking, angry and beautiful' - "Washington Post". 'exactly the right note of cold, poetic irony' - "Financial Times". 'exquisite and despairing' - "Newsday". 'An exceptional book' - "Los Angeles Times".

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Poet-novelist Hope was born and raised in a South African Irish-Catholic family and hence, set apart from the ruling Afrikaners, has always been keenly aware of the pernicious effects of apartheid on both blacks and whites. "In this sad, sensitive book, describing his first visit to South Africa in 13 years, he examines current conditions against the backdrop of his own memories," wrote PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

$17.95. per nar A combination of autobiography, travel account, political commentary, and history, this book relates novelist Hope's return to South Africa at the time of the 1987 election. In describing his life growing up in Balfour, Johannesburg, and Pretoria, Hope details the frighteningly logical progression from the 1948 election when the Nationalists came to power to the absurdity and tragedy of 1987. The last of the three sections, "Good Morning, Lemmings!" describes the parties in the white election and the election itself. Of interest mostly to those with some knowledge of South Africa. Not a first choice or for the smaller library, but useful if bought along with the growing body of autobiographical material available on black South Africans. Maidel Cason, Univ. of Delaware Lib., Newark
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 273 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (June 25, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385263295
• ISBN-13: 978-0385263290
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,961,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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