First published 2002
Fleeing his provincial South African roots, a young intellectual seeks literary stardom in the swinging '60s. But the city's bohemian promise clashes with the grind of eking out a living and finding his voice. As he weathers rejections and self-doubt, he must confront the gulf between his lofty ambitions and the realities of his meager existence. Can he transcend his solitary struggles and make his mark before time runs out?
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, south-africa, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, solitary-struggles
Setting: England, London, South Africa
Period: Modern
176 pages · Paperback · Vintage Books