Mhudi

Book excerpt: An epic historical romance, Mhudi is the first novel in English to be written by a black South African writer and renowned as one of Africa's most important literary works. After witnessing the genocide of her tribe, Mhudi wanders the land terrified of encountering enemy warriors until she is suddenly struck by a fear even worse than death; that she is now completely alone. Upon crossing paths with the tribe's only other known survivor, she finds herself at the centre of an extraordinary story of love, war, and unexpected allies. Writing in the early twentieth century, Sol T. Plaatje offers an incredible retelling of South Africa's history that refuses to justify the injustice that was endured. 'More than a classic; there is just no other book on earth like it. All the stature and grandeur of the author are in it.' Bessie Head 'Some of the most compelling and celebrated accounts of the early days of apartheid.' Trevor Noah, New York Times 'One of the most remarkable books on Africa by one of the continent's most remarkable writers.' Neil Parsons