Weekend page-turners

stalwarts from Dullah Omar to Joe Modise to Steve Tshwete. He was given a cigar by Fidel Castro,

Written with a touching humour and a self-deprecating honesty, this book goes to show that whoever you are, underneath we are all the same. There’s no doubt about the fact that Kerr is a master story teller and in this, his 13th book in the best-selling Bernard (Bernie) Gunther series, he has a remarkable tale to tell about his anti hero.

Set in 1957, in Munich and moving to Athens, Gunther’s latest move in a long string of varied careers, sees him working for an insurance company. Cops (Bernie’s former profession) and insurance companies have something in common – they both have a vested interest in finding out when people are lying to them.

Sent to the Greek capital to investigate a claim from a fellow German for a ship that has sunk, Bernie takes an instant dislike to the claimant.

When he discovers the ship in question once belonged to a Greek Jew deported to Auschwitz, he’s convinced the sinking was no accident but an avenging arson attack. The claimant is found dead, shot through both eyes.

But who is behind the murder, and why? Bernie is once again drawn inexorably back to the dark history of World War II and Kwela Ngcelwane grew up in the heart of District Six and writes in exquisite, poignant detail of life in a bustling community and the lively multi-cultural atmosphere that once existed there.

Twenty years since its original publication, Ngcelwane’s story is still relevant today and offers a testimony of how it was, painting a captivating history of the area before the dreaded forced removals took place more than 50 years after the tearful and heart-rending goodbyes.

She recounts the highs and the lows of living in the community – Guy Fawkes, Boxing Day on the beach, keeping traditional values alive, illegal liquor and the police, the shebeen business, the dompas and making ends meet.

She writes with a singular honesty, warmth, a gentle humour and poignancy. Ngcelwane’s memoir reiterates the need for social justice and casts a light on the memories that sadly some have forgotten. – Orielle Berry