Books of the week
A mixed bag of reads that will get you thinking
THE STOLEN MARRIAGE
By DIANE CHAMBERLAIN Pan MacMillan This is a prime example of why you should never judge a book by its cover. Based on the illustration and blurb you might assume this is a flimsy piece of chick lit, yet once you delve in you discover that the historical novel, set in the ’40s, covers a range of heavyweight issues including unplanned pregnancy, race, love, self-discovery, grief and forgiveness.
This makes for a reading experience filled with twists and turns which will have most readers hooked from start to finish. The action kicks off with the protagonist, Tess DeMello, abruptly calling off her engagement to her fiancé, Vincent, whom she loves, to marry Henry, a guy she’s known for just two days. This sets off a series of unexpected and unfortunate events that change her life.
Amid all this drama set against the backdrop of World War 2, issues such as racial discrimination and a crippling polio epidemic are also explored. It’s all tied together masterfully with an unusual tale of romance which will surely have even hardcore sceptics believing in true love. – PAM MAGWAZA
THE MOUNTAIN
By LUCA D’ANDREA MacLehose Press Jeremiah Salinger makes successful TV documentaries. After finishing a series on the road crews of rock bands, the American filmmaker returns with his wife, Annelise, and their five-year-old daughter, Clara, to her home village of Siebenhoch in the Italian Dolomites. There he’s due to film a new project with a mountain-rescue team.
On a mission with the team, the helicopter they’re in crashes and Jeremiah is the only survivor. Saddled with post-traumatic stress disorder and a massive guilt complex, he blames himself for the crash.
Depression takes its toll on him and his family. But then by chance he hears of three students who were murdered years ago in the Dolomites’ Bletterbach gorge, and his life gets a new focus – he’ll do his best to unravel the mystery, even thought it’s a quest that will put him and his family in danger.
Translated from the Italian original, The Mountain is a riveting read with plenty of human frailty, domestic drama and detective work. To call it a suspense novel doesn’t really do justice to this brilliant book – it’s much, much more. – ANDRÉ J BRINK
SUGAR-FREE & CARBCONSCIOUS LIVING
By MONIQUE LE ROUX FORSLUND Penguin Random House South Africa It’s spring and everyone is talking about “body goals” as sugar-free living becomes a thing. But does it really work? Author Monique le Roux Forslund believes it does. Her book is based on the “low-carb, high-fat” principle of eating and outlines how to remove sugar from your diet.
It focuses on home-cooked, nutritional dishes that are designed to reduce cravings and eliminate the desire to snack between meals. There are recipes and tips for every meal from breakfast to dinner and the book includes light salads and more filling snack options. Cooking vegetables, soups and light meals without compromising the carbconscious life – that’s the focus.
The book also provides recipes for sauces and dressings, with an emphasis on avoiding sugar.
The recipes are easy to follow and a meal plan is included. Great for beginners but for those who are more experienced in the kitchen, it might not offer anything they don’t already know. – THULANI GQIRANA
BEING A BLACK SPRINGBOK: THE THANDO MANANA STORY
By SIBUSISO MJIKELISO Pan Macmillan Rugby has always been his true love and this shows throughout Thando Manana’s book. The Port Elizabeth-born star was the third black African player to don a Springbok jersey after unification in 1992, making his international debut in 2000 in an away-game against Argentina.
But his route to the top of the sport was unpredictable and unusual. From his humble beginnings in the township of New Brighton in PE, Thando grew to become one of the grittiest loose-forwards of South African rugby, despite only starting to play the game at the age of 16.
Within two years of first picking up a rugby ball he represented Eastern Province at Craven Week.
This book takes readers through his childhood, his struggles, his accomplishments and some of the more difficult experiences he’s had to face in his life.
It also gives a glimpse into everyday township life, even exploring Thando’s unlikely friendship with a druglord. – THULANI GQIRANA