Short description
In 1987, after a 12 year absence the author returned to South Africa to report on the run-up to the country's elections. The appalling outcome of the elections led him to write this satirical portrait of what it looked and felt like growing up in a country gripped by absurd racist insanity.
Long description
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 disolusionment is a mordern classic of journalistic memoir.
Review
'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