Men of the South
by Zukiswa Wanner
(Kwela, R170)
You’re looking for a book to buy. You browse the shelves of those over-priced bookstores, but you don’t care because you have cash lining your pockets and you’re in the mood for a generic assortment of latest releases. Fair enough.
You notice a book titled Men of the South and here are a few reasons this paperback might interest you: 1. It’s local and local is lekker. 2. It’s a story about three men, narrated by the protagonists but the author is female. 3. You recognise the author Zukiswa Wanner, a well-known columnist and widely recognised author of The Madams (which you loved).
You page through the book. You decide, what the hell, this is the one, so you proceed to the counter and pay for it. You get home and start reading.
You’re enjoying it but there’s just something, something… You continue reading, faithfully, right to the end, and then crash, boom, bang – your thoughts explode.
You’re thinking: this is a well-written book about black post-apartheid middle to upper middle-class suburbia. It tells the story of three men and their love for one woman.
The first two men are believable characters, with distinct voices. Come to think of it, the third male is pretty believable, too, and also has a distinct style. So, kudos.
The first two characters are mates and the stories they tell fill in certain blanks, set the setting and all that. And, it’s interesting because one is heterosexual – and a stay-at-home dad – and the other turns out to be gay. Black stay-at-home-dad and homosexuality. Big issues. Brave woman to write about this. Kudos, again.
But hang on, what’s with the third character? He’s mentioned maybe twice earlier in the book (as an afterthought at best) and now he’s telling his story? Oh!
It’s supposed to be interesting because he’s a successful Zimbabwean and his little part of the plot was constructed for the sole purpose of creating a platform to talk about xenophobia. And – light bulb! – the idea of these three men loving one woman was also created only as a way to ensure that aforementioned issues could be addressed.
Small wonder the females in the book are so one-dimensional. Danielle Steel has better descriptions of women.
And all that name dropping – geez, what was that all about? Okay, but hang on, Wanner writes well, except maybe for a few disastrous witticisms. And somebody should shoot the editor for not noticing the terrible remark about the spot named Fuel Bar (you reread it just to make sure): “I have no idea where the name comes from, since the place sells food.” It really says that! Surely it must be obvious: food gives the body energy – so it fuels the body. Right? But hang on, Wanner writes well… Doesn’t she?
You stop yourself. You take a deep breath. You realise you were ranting. You decide that, after all, that the book is indeed well written but next time you feel the need to unload some cash, you’re reading a review or two first. – Daily News